Statement on Child Separation

At Madison Children’s Museum, children are the center of our work. We encourage their fullest potential as artists, scientists, inventors, naturalists, explorers, and, above all, empathetic global citizens. As adults and community leaders, regardless of our individual political beliefs, we have a responsibility to live our institutional values and model them for children by demanding humane treatment of ALL children.

We denounce the violation of children’s human rights at U.S. border facilities and the separation of children from their families. Decades of scientific research clearly demonstrate that traumatic living conditions and the separation of children from their families cause irrevocable harm to children’s physical, emotional, and mental health.

We urge everyone to take action. Contact your legislators to demand reunification of families and humane treatment of asylum seekers. Write, call, or email your government representatives. You can find yours here: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/, https://whoismyrepresentative.com/

Review the Statement of the Evidence: “The Science is Clear: Separating Families has Long-term Damaging Psychological and Health Consequences for Children, Families, and Communities.”

Watch the webinar “The Science of Childhood Trauma and Family Separation: A Discussion of Short- and Long-term Effects.”