We can’t eliminate child homicide

Re: “Her name was Serenity. Her brief life was anything but,” Paula Simons, Opinion, Nov. 19, and “Young victim Serenity died in misery, and yet nobody is to take the blame?” Don Braid, Opinion, Nov. 22.

Paula Simons’ coverage of the death of four-year-old First Nations child Serenity is vitally important. Don Braid’s opinion piece makes note of political promises that this will never happen again and that such promises have been made in the past.

We all hope that, but those promises cannot be fulfilled. Firstly, it is caregivers who commit child homicide. Social workers cannot continuously monitor parents and others who look after children. Secondly, the ability to predict with accuracy who will and will not kill a child is quite poor. The science is just not there.

The vast majority of those with risk factors do not kill or maim their children. Thirdly, the core issue of serving aboriginal families properly requires that the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission be implemented. It also means that the order from the Canadian Human Rights Commission to properly address child protection services in indigenous communities also be fully implemented.

These are sad cases. Properly funded and resourced child protection systems across Canada reduce risks, but we will never eliminate child homicide any more than we can eliminate risks of other tragic crimes. Peter W. Choate, Calgary Peter W. Choate is a clinical social worker and assistant professor at Mount Royal University.