VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE LAWS

How to Write a Good Letter to the Editor and Get It Printed

The Department of Social Services has lost control of the original intent of the Child Abuse Hot Line. Letters to the editor are an important way to focus on ways to improve the system. Child abuse is a real problem, and so is system-inflicted abuse of good parents. VOCAL . recognizes the need for an agency to protect the rights of the child. VOCAL also is aware of the escalating problem of false reporting of child abuse. The Hot Line has become a legal assault weapon.

 
The list of bungled cases is growing every day. Parents accused of child abuse depend on the system to conduct thorough investigations. Parents rely on the experts, as do the Family Court judges. When investigations are nonexistent or one-sided, all involved suffer.

 
Letters to the editor do have an effect on a county level. VOCAL members can put political pressure on the Department of Social Services by the content of their letters to the editor. Local newspapers may not feel comfortable about running a news .story on an individual falsely accused. They fear the confidentiality of the case, but they will print a letter to the editor. They will continue to print your "opinions" in their letter to the editor column as long as you follow a few simple rules:

 
bullet Know your facts and stick to them.  
bulletMake the letter short.
bulletDrive home no more than three good points.
bullet Use simple words.  Newspapers are written on the educational level of an eighth-grade student. 
bullet Check all spelling and punctuation and use a good dictionary.
bullet Have a forceful opening paragraph.  
bulletState your complaint in this first paragraph.
bullet Argue your point (so to speak) in the middle paragraphs.
bullet Tie it all up in your closing paragraph.
bullet The final sentences should include ways to improve the situation that you have just described. 
bullet Stress the need for legislative reform.
bullet You don't want to make your article difficult to read or understand so include white space.
bullet Type double-spaced or 1-1\2 spaced.
bullet Sign your article "Sincerely," with your name and telephone number easily legible.
bulletTry to remember who your is your audience, everyone that picks up this article paper!
bullet Do not RANT, RAVE OR RAMBLE! !!  Do not use any form of curse words.
bullet Do not mention the names of caseworkers, supervisors or the accusing party.
bullet Do not write a rude letter.
bulletWrite it from your heart with the purpose of helping all children and families including yours.
Newspapers usually call to verify your first letter. After that they will recognize your name, subject and your stationery. Good paper products do impress, and you do want to strongly interest your local paper. So, use good stationery. Letter head stationery is a great eye opener.
REMEMBER that your letters and opinions reflect on the VOCAL movement. We are trying to promote public awareness of system-inflicted abuses within the Department of Social Services and family court law reform. We are looking for positive changes in current law. We believe that our children and families deserve a better quality of law.  A working system of checks and balances must be installed into current law. Reform is needed for the protection of abused children and also for the protection of innocent parents.