We’ve been standing up for children since 1977.
We’ve been standing up for children since 1977.
Inspiration came to Seattle juvenile court judge David W. Soukup in 1976.
Judge Soukup had insufficient information to make a life-changing decision for a 3-year-old girl who had suffered from child abuse.
That’s where the idea came from: These children, who had experienced abuse or neglect, needed trained volunteers speaking up in the courtroom for their best interests.
“When I walked into the lunchroom, there were 50 people there. And I said, ‘This is going to work.’”
– Judge Soukup on the first CASA/GAL meeting, thinking six or seven people would show up
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), originally enacted in 1974, establishes national definitions regarding child abuse and neglect and assigns certain responsibilities to the federal government, particularly relating to data collection and technical assistance.