The State of California maintains a database of people who allegedly abuse children. (The database also includes names of the alleged victims.) The list is made available to dozens of public agencies, and it is considered in cases of child adoption and employment decisions. Because so many people have access to the list, its content is easily disclosed to outsiders. An alleged abuser and her child, whose case was dropped but whose names had remained on the list, sued the State of California for invasion of privacy. Debate the issues involved. Specifically:

a. Who should make the decision or what criteria should guide the decision about what names should be included and what the criteria should be?

b. What is the potential damage to the abusers (if any)?

c. Should the State of California abolish the list? Why or why not?