Experts warn of security risks to America’s children as photos expose those up for adoption. A growing number of voices are calling for legislative action to protect the rights and safety of vulnerable children in the adoption process. Ashley Brown, CEO of Selfless Love Foundation, discusses these concerns in a recent Q&A that addresses the pressing need for a more secure and equitable adoption system.
Though progress has been made, the foundation’s lead researchers note that there is still a long way to go in safeguarding the well-being of children in the adoption process. According to Ashley Brown, the current adoption system in most states allows for children up for adoption to have their photos posted publicly online, a practice that may have been common before the internet’s evolution — but now poses potential risks to their safety and privacy.
The Selfless Love Foundation’s National Think Tank, which brought together over 30 states’ child welfare leaders and policymakers as well as young people who have experienced foster care, is a strategic effort to influence both federal and state-level policies to improve the adoption process. This initiative, held in October, aims to create a road map for states to follow, with researchers from Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago preparing a report based on the think tank’s findings to guide future action.
Brown emphasizes that while the adoption process is critical to giving children permanent families, the lack of federal legislation to protect the privacy of children in the adoption process is a major issue. She points out that many states have limited laws or no laws at all that give young people a say in how their images are shared or how they’re represented in adoption recruitment. This lack of protection, combined with the absence of a national standard, leaves children vulnerable and without clear legal safeguards.
To address these challenges, Brown and the Selfless Love Foundation are advocating for immediate legislative action that would give children up for adoption the right to choose how they are represented, while also ensuring their privacy, dignity, and safety. This initiative would not only help protect the children but also support families in the adoption process by providing a more transparent and secure system.
In addition to legislative changes, community support plays a crucial role in the success of these efforts. Brown underscores the importance of young people being included in decisions that affect their lives, and the foundation’s National Think Tank includes scholarships to ensure that youth can attend events like this, where their voices are heard and their experiences valued. By fostering a sense of belonging and support, the foundation aims to not only transform the adoption system but also ensure that children in foster care and those who have aged out of the system feel empowered and protected.