The article is by The Associated Press. A California judge’s decision to open a county’s child welfare hearings earlier this year has energized a debate among advocates in other states about whether greater transparency helps or harms the young victims appearing in family court. When a child is abused or neglected, there’s a family court hearing to discuss the victim’s future. In nearly 20 states, including Texas, New York, Florida and Illinois, those hearings usually are open to the public and there is a push among child welfare advocates to open them in other states. Proponents say transparency leads to better decisions by putting a spotlight on judges, exposes the blunders of child welfare workers and gives the public a better understanding of how the system works. Critics say children would be traumatized further by testifying about abuse in courtrooms full of strangers.  (Read Full Article Here)