Advocating for abused children

By Jeff Byrd - Editor & Publisher of the Tryon Daily Bulletin

There is a volunteer opportunity available in Polk County for those who care about children.

The N.C. Guardian ad Litem program needs volunteers to plead for the cause of neglected and abused children. Forty-three abuse and neglect cases were heard in juvenile court last month in Polk County. Polk has 11 active Guardian ad Litems, volunteers who step into the morass – courts, counselors, attorneys, social services case workers, therapists, and family networks, just to name a few stops in the journey. The Guardian ad Litem’s one and only focus is to advocate for the child and his "best interests."

We can think of few human tragedies greater than that of a child who suffers at the hands of the very adults who are supposed to be his protectors. Yet, there is no denying that such tragedies are playing out all around us, every five minutes, according to the statistics.

In 2002-2003, in North Carolina, 107,157 children were reported to be abused or neglected, and 30,016 of those were confirmed as victims. In 2001-2002, in Polk County, 194 children were reported to the Polk County Department of Social Services.

Guardian ad Litem volunteers are trained to investigate the facts in cases assigned to them. They must sort out the truth from murky circumstances and less than trustworthy sources – "the father’s new girlfriend started this whole mess" – and attempt to help guide the child’s progress through the court proceedings. The "best interests of the child" is a murky concept in itself, but one which has three primary goals: a safe home, a permanent home and that to be found as quickly as possible.

Where does one turn to find sanity, safety for such a child? What is "the least detrimental alternative?"

If you have a desire to help abused and neglected children, and a stout heart, here is an opportunity. Call the program office in Hendersonville, (828) 697-4894.