Study Finds Same-Sex Abuse Rampant in Illinois Foster Care System
by Mary Rettig
March 14, 2005
(AgapePress) - A pro-family researcher says a disturbing study about the abuse of foster children demonstrates a real need for more information. The focus of his immediate concern is a Family Research Institute study of the Illinois foster care system, which revealed that a highly disproportionate percentage of sexual abuse cases were homosexual in nature.
Dr. Paul Cameron of the Family Research Institute says the study showed that over one-third of the child sexual abuse cases in the Illinois foster care system were same-sex incidents, and he believes these figures reflect the rest of the United States. However, the doctor notes that one major problem in preventing such abuse is that other states' information is extremely hard to get.
Cameron feels it is extremely important to learn more about this tragic situation, and he is pleading with the public to put pressure on those who can help address it. "What we need," he says, "and what I would ask you to do, please, is if you have a politician in a state that says [its authorities are] concerned about this, then get that politician to get the data made public."
Although the Illinois study did not track whether the abusive foster parents themselves were homosexuals, the FRI spokesman feels its shocking revelations should be considered carefully and addressed with appropriate seriousness. "In this study, we found that 34 percent of the sexual molestations were homosexual. That's totally unacceptable," he says.
Cameron points out that the American Psychological Association declared last year its support for homosexuals being allowed to adopt or provide foster care. However, the doctor contends that such professional societies can be so caught up in so-called equal rights causes that the welfare of children is forsaken. And sadly, the researcher notes, children in state care in particular tend to end up being treated as commodities. Yet, he warns, although these children may be cast aside by society, that same society will bear the burdens later for the problems these young victims will cause as adults.
Cameron hopes the Family Research Institute's study of abuse in the Illinois foster care system will lead to a change in foster-parent policy, despite so-called equality issues. And, he adds, he hopes it will lead to further study and sharing of information about an important issue involving the welfare of children throughout society.
