Boston.com reports that Vermont and nine other states received "F's in a report examining how forthcoming states are in releasing information about their roles in cases of severe child abuse." The report entitled State Secrecy and Child Deaths in the U.S. found that "most states don't release adequate information about fatal and life-threatening child abuse cases because of policies that put confidentiality above child welfare."

Notably, "Vermont lost points for not having a policy for the release of information about child abuse cases in which the victim suffers near-fatal injuries, and for allowing -- but not requiring -- [the Department of Children and Families (DOF)] to publicly disclose findings or information about cases ending in death." According to the report, "Vermont's policy is 'vague and unclear' in the scope of information that can be released." The document also reported that "child abuse and neglect proceedings in the state are closed to the public."

In response, Steve Dale, head of the Department of Children and Families, defended the state's policies saying that they are "aimed at protecting the identity of survivors who could be publicly humiliated by the release of information about their cases." Sheila Reed, legislative and community advocacy coordinator for Voices for Vermont's Children in Montpelier, added that "it's always a balance between the privacy of individuals, especially in a rural state, where everybody knows everybody." She also believes it is "important for people to see how state systems that protect children are being managed."

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