320— Child Abuse in the Foster Care System

At first glance, the foster care system seems to be a safe and welcoming option for children. However, this is because the foster care system has done an excellent job of creating this facade. Once the facade is broken down, the reality of the treatment of children in the foster care system is unacceptable. Children who are put into foster care are at a much higher risk of being abused than they were in their previous home. This issue is of great importance because children’s lives are at stake. Children in the foster care system are one of the most at-risk groups, as they can not fight for themselves, and are heavily discouraged from speaking up about their experiences, in fear that they will be placed in a new home where there could potentially be more abuse. Child abuse in the foster care system needs to be brought to the publics’ attention because it is time that the polished facade of foster care is taken down.