The debate around making child dependency courts open to the public is hot. Some say it's a good idea. Others say it's not.  One person who thinks it's a good idea is Nathan Witkin. He believes that open courts will make people more aware of child welfare issues. He also thinks that this awareness will lead to more money for child welfare.  More money, he argues, will mean fewer children dying from abuse.  But is this really true?

First, let's talk about the risks. Witkin's ideas are based on old studies. These studies are from 25 to 30 years ago. A lot has changed since then. Today's kids face different challenges. LGBTQ+ kids and those who have been abused multiple times are at higher risk. Opening courts could put them in even more danger.  Witkin's old studies don't account for these risks.  This is a big problem.

Now, let's look at the money. Witkin thinks open courts will lead to more spending on child welfare. But this isn't always true. Some states opened their courts, but their budgets didn't go up. In fact, they went up and down over time. So, opening courts doesn't guarantee more money.  It's not that simple.

Witkin also thinks open courts will reduce child fatalities. But again, this isn't always true. Some states opened their courts, and their child fatality rates went up. This is the opposite of what Witkin predicts.  So, opening courts might not be the solution.

It's important to think critically about these issues. Opening courts might seem like a good idea. But it's not that simple. We need to consider the risks and the reality. We need to make sure our kids are safe.  We need to make sure they get the help they need.  It's not just about opening courts. It's about doing what's best for our kids.

Children's Safety in the Spotlight: Rethinking Court Transparency

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