The situations reported at Penn State and Syracuse Universities are hugely disturbing. The allegations, if true, pose serious questions about the moral and legal responsibilities of adults who witness or are told of abuse, as well as the readiness of institutions to handle such disclosures.
While debates will rage about strengthening mandatory reporting laws, no one needs to wait. Every institution that works with young people can review and update policies and procedures to protect children. Here at National CASA, we are once again reviewing our standards and measuring them against the CDC Guidelines for Protection of Children.
Every adult can also take immediate steps to help protect children. As advocates for abused and neglected children, we encourage responsible adults to learn how to respond appropriately if a child discloses sexual abuse. Whether or not you are a “mandated reporter,” you should:
a. Believe, protect, and reassure the child.
b. Get help. You can call the Stop It Now! Hotline at 1-888-PREVENT.
c. Call the national Child Abuse Hotline at1-800-4-A-CHILD or your own state’s child abuse reporting line if you know or suspect a child is being abused.
Any child who has been sexually abused deserves the full support, understanding and protection of adults. There is a pressing need in every community for more caring adults willing to stand up, not stand by, to protect our children. We have seen in the past few weeks the worst things that can happen when good men fall silent in the face of abuse.
I am appalled at the recent events at Penn State and Syracuse. I was a Guardian ad litem in Floriday and a CASA in Virginia for several years. I loved my times with the program; I cannot begin to imagine walking into a room and witnessing such abuse of power? I do not even what to think about how many children and families could have been saved, had the authorities done something sooner?
Perhaps, the one good thing that will happen from all of this is: a new wareness of the duty to report child abuse? But why did they not learn anything from the priest situations in this country. Maybe there should be more women involved and on the boards of these programs? Maybe the states should mandate that there be some women on these trips, keeping track of the coaches, and on the boards as active members with only the job of overseeing the best interest of the children?
That should be Florida and awareness…Let me say this too, I cried when I read the grand jury report and I have had to read reports like that before, so I have a strong stomach because I was a CASA! But it was shameful that so many people knew but no one right by those children. I have been in the court room when the survivor had to face her perpetrator!
Sharon – As appalling as these incidences may be; it is unfortunatley not only men who commit these heinous crimes. It’s not fair to say that sexual abuse is exclusive to only men; although that is what we hear most about in the media. Sexual abuse does not discriminate against race, ethnicity or gender; it is a universal issue that will continue to prey on our children if society continues to turn a blind eye. Everyone, including lawmakers to innocent bystanders, needs to unite to protect our children.
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