NCJ Number
134167
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Connecticut Governor's Task Force on Justice for Abused Children submitted a progress report detailing efforts at improving the State's child abuse response system. The Task Force program is based on four major principles: that children have the right to equal protection under the law and equal access to exercise these rights; that children have the right to grow and develop free of physical harm and injury; that children have the right to be heard and understood; and that children who have been abused have the right to services to protect them from future harm and to help them recover from past trauma.
Abstract
Among other changes instituted in fiscal year 1990, five new judges were assigned to service in the Connecticut juvenile court. The State legislature passed legislation requiring reciprocal reporting of child abuse cases between law enforcement agencies and the Department of Children and Youth Services and legislation allowing courts to use child-appropriate techniques. A legal research project was implemented to review confidentiality statutes, identify barriers to multidisciplinary investigations and cooperation, and recommend statutory changes. Public policy forums were held, and a resource guide for victims and their families was developed.