Esther Watternberg, Policy and Program Coordinator in Family and Child Welfare at CURA, hosted a Reflective Seminar titled “Codes of Silence, Confidentiality, and Family Privacy: Implications for the Child Welfare System," on December 14, 2012, at the Humphrey School.

This reflective seminar underscored the importance of understanding the ways in which “codes of silence” play out in gang life, church organizations, university athletic departments, and family life, with its cultural histories. With the extensive Internet collection of personal data, a sense of privacy may be dwindling. But there is also the potential for a personal sense of injury when “a code of silence” prevents the disclosure of information that could avert serious harm to children and young adults. Issues touched on in the Reflective Seminar have direct relevance to the search for the sources of racial and other disparities in Minnesota.

The agenda, presentations, handouts, and further material from the event are posted on the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare website.

This seminar was offered under the auspices of the University of Minnesota's Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, School of Social Work, College of Education and Human Development, and CURA.