Child Abuse Rates in PA before/after Act 31 Mandated Reporting

Model Research

After the scandal at Penn State, there was a desperate need to make changes in child abuse laws. The well-kept secret of high rates of child abuse were also uncovered as a result of the scandal. In fact, there were almost 40,000 reported case of child abuse in 2010 and an untold number of unreported cases (CCJ). Every year, on average, thirty children will die as a result of child abuse in this state. As a result of these concerning numbers and the attention brought to the problem by the Penn State scandal, Act 31 was passed. Act 31 requires all health-related licensees, school officials, and clergymen to complete three hours of child abuse recognition training.

A call to action occurred in 2011 when physicians discovered a high number of children with traumatic head injuries as a result of child abuse (CCJ). In April, it was discovered the number of injuries reported by healthcare officials did not line-up with the numbers being reported by social services. In November of 2011, the Sandusky/Penn State scandal broke. Sandusky was charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse against children. As a result of these two incidents as well as the high rate of child abuse in the state, a task force for child protection was created. The task force determined, person with direct contact with child abuse victims are mandated to report abuse.

Act 31 was created to ensure people who come into close contact with children have the necessary knowledge to recognize the signs and have the necessary information to report the suspected abuse. Health officials, school officials and employees, child care workers, and spiritual advisors are mandated by law to report abuse. Prior to enacting this law, mandated reporters were failing to report cases of child abuse. As a result, many cases of child abuse were going unreported. Children do not have a voice and rely on adults to step in and provide the necessary assistance. The mandatory reporter becomes the voice of the child.

ACADEMIC REFERENCES

Krebs, J. Statistics don't tell total child abuse story.

Persky, A. Beyond the Penn State Scandal: Child Abuse Reporting Laws.

The Center for Children's Justice. Child Abuse victims in Pennsylvania.