Safety
Safety is the non-negotiable floor of the child welfare system. Child death rates have risen 30 percent in the last decade, and nearly half of all children are re-abused after being returned to their homes. We press to ensure that every decision made by the court is weighed against one primary question: “Is this child safe?”
November 17, 2025News & Press ReleasesAnaiah Walker entered the Arizona foster care system at age 13. Before her 14th birthday, she was trafficked by adults posing as teenagers online. By age 15, she ran away from several group [...]
August 1, 2025Resources & ToolsIn a major victory for child protection, the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that the state is not required to attempt reunification with a parent who trafficked her child. This landmark decision, In re Barber/Espinoza, affirms Congress’s intent in the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA), which intentionally allows states to forgo reunification when children suffer extreme physical or sexual abuse.
May 1, 2025News & Press ReleasesOn Friday Governor Katie Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1333 (SB 1333)—a life-saving measure, created by the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, that will help more children transition from institutional group homes into safe families.
April 30, 2025Model ReformsOn Wednesday, May 7 at 11:30 a.m. ET, the Michigan Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case of In re Barber/Espinoza—a case that will determine whether a woman who trafficked her 9-year-old daughter can still claim parental rights.
April 7, 2025Op-Eds & CommentaryIn The Imprint, reporter Jeremy Loudenback highlighted California’s efforts to change mandatory reporting laws, a movement spurred by advocates who believe the current system unnecessarily pulls innocent families into the child welfare system. Loudenback featured the story of Roger De Leon, Jr., who was investigated for suspected abuse only to be later found innocent, as one traumatic example.
March 27, 2025Research & ReportsIn a searing new memo released today, Lives in the Balance: A Bold Plan to Fix America’s Broken Child Protection System, the Center for the Rights of Abused Children lays bare an unflinching truth:
September 10, 2024News & Press ReleasesDarcy Olsen discusses the Center's mission to mend the child protection system and bring a permanent end to innocent children enduring violence.
September 1, 2024Resources & ToolsAttorneys Protect Children’s Fundamental Rights Executive Summary Children possess numerous legal and constitutional rights that must be protected. Amid the numerous interests in abuse and neglect proceedings, children’s rights and interests are distinct [...]
June 26, 2024News & Press ReleasesAt the Arizona Capitol Times’ Best of the Capitol awards ceremony this evening, Darcy Olsen, founder and CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, was recognized as Arizona’s Best Non-Profit Leader.
March 2, 2024Events & TestimonyThe Department of Child Safety Sunset Review hearings to review the purpose and functions of the department to determine whether continuation, revision, consolidation or termination is warranted. Preview: My name is Kendall Seal. [...]