April Calls Us To Focus On Child Protection

By Senator Michael A. O'Pake (D-Berks)
Senate Democratic Whip

          Harrisburg, April 10, 2008 -- As the author of the original Child Protective Services Law in Pennsylvania in 1975, I pause each April during Child Abuse Prevention Month to review the latest data on our efforts to protect children.
          Statistics just released by the state Department of Public Welfare indicate that about one in every 1,000 children in our state was the victim of a substantiated child abuse incident last year.
          More tragically, the number of children who died because of abuse or neglect in our cities and towns increased by nearly half, rising from 31 deaths in 2006 to 46 last year.  Two of them were here in Berks County.
          Meanwhile, in three out of every five counties (41 of the Commonwealth’s 67), the number of reported incidents of abuse or neglect rose.
          But, like the season’s weather, the report always carries a promise of better times ahead.
          Continuing a trend in recent years, the number and rate of “substantiated” reports, those where there has been a criminal conviction or where medical evidence, admission by the perpetrator or the Children and Youth Services investigation indicates that abuse or neglect occurred, was down from the previous year.
          In Berks County, the number of reported instances of abuse or neglect dropped slightly to 751 from 758 in 2006, and the number of substantiated reports dropped to 122 from 171.  From 1.8 substantiated cases per 1,000 children in 2006, the rate fell to 1.3 substantiated cases per 1,000 last year.
          Meanwhile, changes in state law last year expanded the background check requirement for prospective foster parents and for adults living with them, as well as for others with a significant likelihood of regular contact with children. This followed the approval of expanded requirements for reporting abuse and neglect in 2006.
          The Department of Public Welfare’s Childline service conducted six percent more background checks last year, up to 476,895 statewide, and uncovered 1,295 applicants for jobs relating to children who had substantiated child abuse reports in their history. Just imagine how many potential victims of child abuse were saved by these discoveries.
          Most abuse, however, continues to be delivered predominantly through the hands of the people directly responsible for the child’s welfare, either parents or other relatives.
          What is clear from the numbers contained in the report is that it will take continuing concern from a community that accepts responsibility for children – family, teachers, doctors, etc. - if we are going to protect more children from the injury of abuse and neglect.
          If that happens, the annual statistical shower from the Department of Welfare will be the harbinger of blooms more dazzling and inevitable than May flowers – those of Hope.
          More information on child protection services and child abuse in Pennsylvania is available here.

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