Arguing a Position Paper
Darrel Harris
English Composition I
Arguing a Position Paper
February 18, 2009
Protecting our Children
Over the past two decades, child abuse cases have soared in Nebraska. And
though many adults abhor the actions of the offenders in these cases. Many of them go
Virtually unpunished, or receive a slap on the hand. The State of Nebraska has several
Laws on the books to protect our children from predators, in and outside of the home
Unfornately, the sentence that are imposed does little to deter the violent and sometimes
Deadly actions of caregivers, relatives, and even parents. The DHHS, has formed a
division to deal the escalating problem of child abuse in the State. The Division of
Children and Family Services merges the former Offices of Protection and Safety and
Economic and Family Support. The division is responsible to govern in the areas of child
abuse, faster care, adoption, domestic violence, they also offer families support through
the Employment First, ADC, Medicaid eligibility, child support enforcement, and food
stamps. Despite the fact that these services are readily available children are still falling through cracks that are in the system. Nebraska has attempted to address the issue of child abuse and neglect, and is having mixed results. Parent’s and caregiver’s are under a tremendous amount of pressure today. Many parents and caregivers lack the coping skills to deal with a crying infant and some resort to physical abuse. State government has a responsibility along with law enforcement and the juvenile court system to stand in the gap and protect society’s most valuable resource, our children. The Omaha World Herald reports on criminal cases involving child abuse in a February 18 article “a Plattsmouth man was sentenced between 18 months to 3 years in prison for inflicting numerous bite marks, puncture wounds and cigarette burns on his 4-month old daughter. Prosecutors said that
English Composition I
Arguing a Position Paper
February 18, 2009
Protecting our Children
Over the past two decades, child abuse cases have soared in Nebraska. And
though many adults abhor the actions of the offenders in these cases. Many of them go
Virtually unpunished, or receive a slap on the hand. The State of Nebraska has several
Laws on the books to protect our children from predators, in and outside of the home
Unfornately, the sentence that are imposed does little to deter the violent and sometimes
Deadly actions of caregivers, relatives, and even parents. The DHHS, has formed a
division to deal the escalating problem of child abuse in the State. The Division of
Children and Family Services merges the former Offices of Protection and Safety and
Economic and Family Support. The division is responsible to govern in the areas of child
abuse, faster care, adoption, domestic violence, they also offer families support through
the Employment First, ADC, Medicaid eligibility, child support enforcement, and food
stamps. Despite the fact that these services are readily available children are still falling through cracks that are in the system. Nebraska has attempted to address the issue of child abuse and neglect, and is having mixed results. Parent’s and caregiver’s are under a tremendous amount of pressure today. Many parents and caregivers lack the coping skills to deal with a crying infant and some resort to physical abuse. State government has a responsibility along with law enforcement and the juvenile court system to stand in the gap and protect society’s most valuable resource, our children. The Omaha World Herald reports on criminal cases involving child abuse in a February 18 article “a Plattsmouth man was sentenced between 18 months to 3 years in prison for inflicting numerous bite marks, puncture wounds and cigarette burns on his 4-month old daughter. Prosecutors said that
Cited: Ferak, John. “Dad sent to prison for child abuse; infant girl bitten and burned.” February 18, 2009, Sunrise Edition, Midlands Section: Omaha World Herald, February 24, 2009 FindALaw