Being isolated from parents, other relatives, school friends, and everything that they were familiar with at home can be hard enough for children.
Having to contend with the following forms of abuse in care homes makes the situation even more heartbreaking.
1. Physical abuse
Physical abuse includes striking with an object, punching, burning with cigarettes, and worse. Sometimes, the abuse is inflicted by the foster parents or their own children.
2. Sexual abuse & assault
Foster children are sometimes sexually molested by their new parent(s) or by the children of the parents. Sometimes, the offenders have a history of inflicting abuse but remain on the authorized list of care homes.
One recent case in New York state involved a foster parent who had provided care for 106 boys before he was stopped, despite numerous complaints being filed.
3. Neglect
Neglect may be the reason for removal from the family home in the first place if a parent fails to look after the child’s basic needs like food, clothing, and health.
To then suffer neglect in foster care compounds the trauma caused to a child. Any foster home that does not provide adequate supervision or look after the basic needs of a child needs to be held to account.