When horrific cases of child abuse make headlines, social workers are often painted as neglecting their duty. But is a system that protects parental rights and keeping families intact really to blame?
Mental Health
This story was produced as part of a larger project led by Nikie Johnson, a participant in the USC Center for Health Journalism's 2018 Data Fellowship....
Some children have been sexually assaulted. There are documented cases of child abuse. There have even been riots.
The public is paying mightily for homelessness, regardless of whether or not voters support more funding for homeless services and housing.
In one incident, a girl with a mental health diagnosis was pepper-sprayed in the groin, then left to use toilet water to relieve her pain.
Once known for their tolerance and to a degree an accepted and somewhat congenial but fragile coexistence with their unhoused brothers and sisters, Mar Vista, Venice and even Santa Monica have become increasingly less patient with homelessness.
Talking about our personal experiences with mental illness can be difficult, even when it’s just among family and friends. But without these stories, how can we begin to understand an issue that is affecting every community across our state?
This story was produced as part of a larger project led by Gary Walker, a participant in the USC Center for Health Journalism's California Fellowship....
I first became interested in jail suicides when I was reporting on the state prison in Montana, where I found that murders were quite uncommon inside the prison — but suicides were not.
The initial statistics shocked me. It turns out, I hadn’t seen anything yet.