The brutal murder of six-year old Elisa Izquierdo, allegedly at the hands of her biological mother, made headlines in New York City in 1995.

James Knight recalls his own experience of abuse and offers advice about preventing it.
James’ foster mother beat him and his siblings with a homemade cat-o'-nine-tails. In addition to this abuse, she humiliated them verbally, underfed them, and in general robbed them of any kind of normal childhood.

Discussion idea: Give your group the above summary before they read the story. Then ask them what they think James should do. Write down all of their suggestions then have them read the story.

Did their suggestions differ from what James did? After they find out what James did, is there anything else they think he should have done? For example, should he have opened up to one of his teachers? Should he have just kept going back to the police? What other adults could he have approached? When discussing suggestions, remind them how difficult it is for a young child to challenge their parents or talk to adult strangers about their problems.

Discussion idea: In James's case there was overwhelming evidence of abuse. Why do your clients think that nothing was done to help him? Why did the police and social workers walk away from the allegations? Did they simply not believe James?

James suggests ways to change the current methods of investigating abuse reports. He would also like to "increase the budget for foster care" so that social workers would be "well-trained and well-paid." Do your clients think this will ever happen, given the cutbacks that have already occurred and others that are in the works?