Family Forum / Parenting / Adoption / April 2007

CANADA

http://www.nugget.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=499685&catname=Edito
rial&classif=

Programs offer alternatives to abandoning infant

Editorial - Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Editorial - I would like to express my sympathy to all those
personally involved with the recent tragedy in your area, as well as
to the whole community that will feel the impact of the discovery of
an infant's body. I would like to share the following information with
your readers about a positive reaction and program started years ago
in United States.

In many areas in the U.S., the front-line workers involved in these
cases have formed Safe Haven Foundations. These include the ambulance
attendants, police, firefighters and reporters.

Initially their goal was to give these innocent victims of society a
dignified burial by giving them a name first and a shared last name of
Hope.

They were given a reverent funeral and then buried in a marked grave.
In New York, there is a designated area donated for these babies
called the Island of Hope.

Although this special caring did give some peace and healing, their
main goal to provide a safe place for an unwanted or abandoned infant
became evident. To this end many states have created safe haven
organizations under several different names, but all with the same
purpose.

The Baby Abandonment Prevention Act can protect the mother and save
the newborn. Rather than abandoning or killing the baby, the
distraught mother is encouraged to take her infant to a hospital or
designated place and give the baby to a responsible adult. The baby is
then safe and the mother will not be prosecuted for abandoning her
newborn or charged with murder if the baby is found dead.

It is hoped these desperate mothers will see this as a viable option
and feel better knowing that their babies' lives have been saved.
Education and public awareness is crucial and gained exposure through
posters, billboards, papers, television and the intent.

As of yet, there is no known such foundation in Canada but with more
of these tragedies affecting us, like this one close to home in North
Bay, it deserves our attention.

Judy Bailey

Fenelon Falls