Lessons must be learned after criminal justice system fails Kada Scott | Editorial – Inquirer.com

Systemic Failures in Justice System and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary: The Case of Kada Scott

The death of Kada Scott, 23, has brought to light significant failings within the Philadelphia justice system, particularly concerning the handling of domestic and gender-based violence. An analysis of the events leading to her death reveals systemic weaknesses that directly undermine progress toward several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Institutional Failures and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The case demonstrates a critical breakdown in the effectiveness and accountability of justice institutions, a core focus of SDG 16. The man accused in Scott’s death had been previously charged in two separate domestic assault incidents, yet systemic miscues prevented prosecution.

• Lack of Effective Prosecution: The District Attorney’s office withdrew charges in two prior domestic violence cases against the accused, Keon King, after the victim did not appear in court. This failure to utilize available evidence, such as video footage from the second incident, points to a weakness in institutional capacity to protect citizens and ensure justice, contrary to the aims of SDG 16.
• Judicial and Prosecutorial Lapses: The handling of the cases highlights a series of procedural and judgmental errors that challenge the goal of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions (SDG Target 16.6).

1. Following a second arrest for kidnapping and strangulation, prosecutors requested a $1 million bail.
2. A magistrate reduced the bail to $200,000, which the accused posted, securing his release.
3. The District Attorney’s office did not appeal the bail reduction, a decision that failed to prioritize the safety of the victim and the community.
4. The District Attorney later admitted, “We could’ve done better,” acknowledging a failure in institutional responsibility.

Gender-Based Violence and SDG 5: Gender Equality

The circumstances surrounding Kada Scott’s death are a stark reminder of the persistent challenge of violence against women, which SDG 5 aims to eliminate. The system’s inability to protect a prior victim and hold her abuser accountable created an environment where further violence was possible.

• Failure to Eliminate Violence Against Women (SDG Target 5.2): The case exemplifies the tragic consequences when the justice system fails to intervene effectively in cycles of domestic abuse.
• Barriers to Justice for Victims: Research from the University of Pennsylvania indicates that 70% of domestic violence victims in Philadelphia fail to appear in court, often due to fear of the perpetrator. This systemic issue prevents access to justice and perpetuates violence, directly impeding progress on gender equality.
• Need for Victim Support Systems: The current system lacks adequate support and protection to ensure victims can safely participate in the legal process, a necessary component for achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

Disproportionate Impact and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The case also underscores the intersection of gender and race in experiences of violence, a critical dimension of SDG 10, which calls for reducing inequality within and among countries.

• Racial Disparities in Victimization: Studies show that Black women disproportionately experience higher rates of domestic abuse, rape, and homicide. This highlights a systemic inequality that the justice system must actively work to dismantle.
• Ensuring Equal Protection (SDG Target 10.3): The failure to protect victims of domestic violence, particularly those from marginalized communities, represents a failure to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome. More awareness, training, and targeted preventive measures are required to address these disparities.

Recommendations for Aligning with SDG Targets

To prevent future tragedies and advance the Sustainable Development Goals, the following actions are recommended:

1. Strengthen Institutional Accountability (SDG 16): Revise prosecutorial guidelines to proceed with evidence-based domestic violence cases, even in instances of victim non-cooperation, and implement stricter review processes for bail decisions in such cases.
2. Enhance Victim Safety and Support (SDG 5): Invest in comprehensive victim support services that provide protection, counseling, and legal assistance, thereby empowering victims to seek justice without fear of retaliation.
3. Implement Targeted Prevention and Education (SDG 5 & 10): Launch public awareness campaigns and educational programs aimed at preventing gender-based violence and promoting a culture of respect, with a specific focus on addressing the heightened risks faced by women of color.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article directly addresses gender-based violence, a core component of SDG 5. The narrative revolves around the killing of Kada Scott and previous assaults on another woman by the same perpetrator. It highlights the systemic issues that fail to protect women from domestic abuse, which is a primary obstacle to achieving gender equality.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article explicitly points out that “Black women disproportionately experience higher rates of domestic abuse, including rape and homicides.” This connects the issue of gender-based violence to racial inequality, highlighting how certain demographic groups are more vulnerable and underserved by the systems meant to protect them, which is a key concern of SDG 10.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  A significant portion of the article critiques the failures of the justice system. It details how the District Attorney’s office and the courts failed to prosecute a repeat offender, leading to a preventable death. The discussion about withdrawn charges, bail decisions, and the fear of victims to testify points directly to the need for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions as promoted by SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

   The entire article is a case study of the failure to meet this target. It describes multiple instances of severe violence against women, including strangulation, abduction, assault, and ultimately, homicide. The call for “preventive steps… to reduce violence against women” reinforces this connection.

2. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory policies and practices.

   The article’s statement that “Black women disproportionately experience higher rates of domestic abuse” points to an inequality of outcome. The failure of the justice system to protect women, particularly women of color who are at higher risk, demonstrates a systemic issue that this target aims to address.

3. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   The killing of Kada Scott is a direct example of a “violence-related death” that this target seeks to reduce. The article frames her death as a preventable tragedy resulting from systemic failures, underscoring the importance of reducing such violent outcomes.

4. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   This target is central to the article’s critique. The text highlights a “broken legal system” where victims do not have equal access to justice. Examples include prosecutors withdrawing charges because victims were afraid to testify, an inexperienced prosecutor handling a serious case, and a magistrate lowering bail for a violent offender. The call to fix the system so “victims are [not] afraid to testify” directly relates to ensuring access to justice.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 5.2: The article provides qualitative examples of physical violence (strangulation, assault, homicide) that align with indicators measuring violence against women. The explicit mention of “homicides” against women is a measurable indicator.
• For Target 10.3: A key indicator is mentioned directly: the disproportionate rates of violence against a specific demographic. The article states that “Black women disproportionately experience higher rates of domestic abuse, including rape and homicides,” which is a statistical indicator of inequality.
• For Target 16.1: The central event, the “killing of Kada Scott,” serves as an anecdotal data point for the indicator of intentional homicides. The number of such homicides, particularly those related to domestic violence, is a direct measure of progress.
• For Target 16.3: The article provides a specific statistic that can serve as an indicator of the justice system’s accessibility and trustworthiness: “70% of victims of domestic violence cases failed to appear in Philadelphia’s courts.” Other implied indicators include:
  • The rate at which charges are withdrawn in domestic violence cases.
  • The outcomes of bail hearings for individuals accused of violent crimes.
  • The availability and effectiveness of victim support services within the criminal justice system.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: inquirer.com