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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp016q182n90p
Title: First, do no harm: Model practices for law enforcement agencies when arresting parents in the presence of children
Contributors: Thurau, Lisa H.
Keywords: Police administration—United States
Police-community relations—United States
Police services for juveniles—United States
Arrest—United States
Issue Date: 2015
Publisher: Strategies for Youth
Place of Publication: Cambridge, Mass.
Description: One of the most traumatic events a child can experience is the arrest of a parent. In the short term, children whose parents are arrested experience the trauma of the arrest itself and often the stress of changes to their living situation. In the long term, they grapple with a range of trauma-induced physical and mental health issues, which can lead to negative academic, behavioral and justice system outcomes. These outcomes harm not only the children involved but also society as a whole, which misses out on potential productivity and must devote more resources to schools, social services, law enforcement and courts. Law enforcement agencies are in a unique position to limit this harm in three key ways. First, they can modify their procedures to make arrests less traumatic for children. Second, they can adopt protocols to ensure children are accounted for, left with competent caregivers and otherwise protected from harm in the aftermath of a parental arrest. Third, they can collaborate with social workers and child advocates to connect children of arrested parents with the services they need. This report outlines several model practices that law enforcement agencies can use to translate these three broad possibilities into effective policies and practices.
URI: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp016q182n90p
Related resource: https://strategiesforyouth.org/sfysite/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/First_Do_No_Harm_Report.pdf
Appears in Collections:Monographic reports and papers (Publicly Accessible)

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