As Rise continues to explore child welfare system abolition, we were thrilled to talk with leading scholar Dorothy Roberts about what abolition means to her and why she is certain abolition is necessary as we work toward a different vision for families, communities and society.
Dorothy Roberts is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and researcher, scholar and activist. Here she discusses what she has learned from parents, plans for her next book and the importance of using terms like “family regulation system” or “family policing system” instead of “child welfare system.” She describes connections between the family policing and criminal justice systems and shares more effective, compassionate ways of addressing harm and supporting families.
