How to Be a Better Listener

For some time, I practiced in juvenile court representing child victims, and in my jurisdiction, an assignment representing the accused parent was inevitable. The first time I represented an alleged abuser in a child abuse and neglect case, we met at my office where I heard about chaos, violence, and the children. I learned what it felt like for a family to be invaded, judged, and separated. I was angry. I saw bias and misunderstanding. I yelled. Later I cried. Why was this family torn apart by the system? I vowed to fight and not rest until this family was safely reunited. It never was.