No place called home: Removal of abused children from their families

One of British Columbia's primary child welfare challenges is the increasingly high number of children in care; B.C. has one of the highest percentages of children in care in Canada. The researcher examines statistical data on children in care, undertakes a policy analysis of relevant policies, and conducts interviews with twelve individuals involved with child protection. For the latter, interviews explore participants' perceptions on 1) whether it is in children's "best interests" to be removed from their families in cases where they are, or are at risk of, being physically abused; and 2) whether an alternative to removal, such as removing the abusive parent instead, is viable. There was overwhelming consensus that removal is not in the best interest of the child, while the described practice suggests it is frequently employed. Thus, this kind of removal may be in contradiction to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.