Why Doesn't CPS Require Evidence?

When it comes to Child Protective Services (CPS), many people wonder why evidence is not a required component in every case. This ambiguity stems from the nature of the cases CPS handles. Often, cases of abuse do not come with physical evidence. It's about testimony and credibility because there often is nothing else. For instance, you can’t rewind a tape to see if a child was left home alone without food last weekend, or pull a fingerprint from a 12-year-old girl’s breast to confirm instances of molestation. Hence, it is all about testimony and the credibility of the claims brought forward. The lack of physical evidence in many abuse cases means that CPS must rely heavily on testimony and believable accounts.

A majority of child abuse incidents go unchecked if there was a need for physical evidence to corroborate the claims. CPS does not require much evidence to initiate an investigation but does require evidence when recommending changes to child custody. The organization performs a thorough evaluation of all the facts once an investigation begins.

However, the decision made by CPS is based solely on the best interest of the child, not an “innocent until proven guilty” principle. While there are several instances where CPS makes mistakes, their policy of “erring on the side of the child” can lead to unnecessary and harmful situations for children and their parents.

Criticism of CPS Practices

My personal experiences with CPS in the US, which I have detailed elsewhere, have significantly influenced my perspective on this organization. Despite their well-meaning policies, CPS does commit serious mistakes, often inflicting both physical and emotional harm on children and their parents. The term "erring on the side of the child" is frequently misconstrued. For every decision made in the child's best interest, there can be detrimental impacts, creating a messy situation for everyone involved.

CPS is known to lie, fabricate, and twist stories to achieve their objectives. While not every case involves such practices, the potential for these actions is concerning and can lead to unfair treatment and a sense of abuse of power. It is always best to avoid drawing attention to CPS, as a single anonymous phone call can trigger an investigation. Additionally, there is little accountability for CPS when they cause harm to children or their families.

Government's Role and Misery Distribution

My adage, “Governments can never really eliminate misery. They can only shift the misery from one place to another, usually creating more along the way,” applies to CPS. Not only are they not an exception to this rule, but CPS often seems to be a prime example of it. Though not all CPS social workers are evil, the organization's practices often lead to significant harm and additional misery for both children and their families.

Statistically, children in foster care are three times more likely to be abused than children with their biological parents. This stark statistic highlights the potential dangers and flaws in the CPS system. The irony of not having accountability for harming children is profound and seemingly contradictory to the organization's supposed mission to protect them.

While not all CPS workers are entirely malicious, the organization as a whole can often create more problems than it solves. As one who has personally experienced and researched aspects of CPS, the findings have been deeply concerning. It is crucial to approach interaction with CPS with caution and vigilance to protect not just children but all individuals involved.