Public Roundtable Testimony on Children’s Safety at the DC General Family Shelter

Children’s Law Center testified before a March 28 City Council Committee on Human Services public roundtable hearing on the security of children at DC General, which was called in the wake of the tragic abduction of 8-year-old Relisha Rudd from the shelter.

Executive Director Judith Sandalow made the point that more must be done for the well-being of the more than 500 children still at the shelter – and that there is an urgent need to help those children deal with the trauma they are experiencing in the wake of their missing friend. As a District, we are failing these children and leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and ongoing danger. If we are going to address their safety, then we need to better understand these children, their traumatic histories, and address their needs in a more comprehensive way.

Read our full testimony here.

For more information, you can read and watch news coverage of the hearing that highlights the urgent needs of the children who are at the shelter:

WTOP – DC Council hears pleas to imrpove conditions at city’s largest shelter

NBC Washington – DC Council to examine homeless shelter safety after girl’s disappearance

Washington Post – DC criticized for management of homeless shelter

Washington City Paper – DC General comes under scrutiny following disappearance of Relisha Rudd