Fried Social Worker® Blog

Sixty seven year old social worker Boni Frederick is a hero. I offer my heartfelt and most sincere condolences and prayers to her family, friends, and colleagues. Boni Frederick was murdered during a home visit on 10/16/06 in Henderson, Kentucky. She exemplifies why I have so much admiration for child protective workers. They put their safety on the line every day trying to advocate for and protect the most vulnerable in our society. Many CPS workers are burdened with caseloads that are far too large, budgets that are much too small, and staffing levels that don’t allow for optimum safety precautions in the field. Check out the Confined Space blog for one blogger’s perspective on the problem.

I have previously blogged about the problem of violence toward social workers. I hope every social worker in the profession will take a moment to review their current workplace safety precautions and procedures and insist upon changes where indicated. Social workers shouldn’t have be to martyred in the course of performing their duties!

Is it just me, or is there a side of the Boni Frederick story that doesn’t seem to be getting the attention it should? I’m referring to the fact that Boni Frederick died not only in defense of a child, but also upholding parental rights. Didn’t she die while taking the child for a parental visit? Those anti-social-work folks who love to publicize their hatred of CPS workers would do well to reflect upon this for a moment. Boni Frederick was acting in a manner that respected the rights of parents … and it cost her life. I won’t hold my breath waiting for social work bashers to acknowledge that point. They don’t have to, because the selfless actions of a hero like Boni Frederick speak with more integrity than any written or spoken word could ever do.