A: Child abuse, according to the Child Protective Service Law (CPSL) includes any recent act or failure to act by a perpetrator to a child under 18 years of age that causes non-accidental serious physical injury, or non-accidental serious mental injury, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation, and serious neglect. “Recent” is defined as an abusive act within two years from the date ChildLine is called. Sexual abuse has no time limit.
Child abuse also includes any recent act, failure to act, or series of acts or failures to act by a perpetrator that creates an imminent risk of serious physical injury to or sexual abuse or exploitation of a child under 18 years of age.
Q: Who can be a perpetrator?
A: A perpetrator of child abuse can be a child’s parent, the person responsible for the welfare of a child such as a babysitter or day care staff person, and individual residing in the same home as the child who is at least 14 years of age, or a paramour of the child’s parent regardless of whether or not they reside in the home.
Q: How do I report it?
A: The Support Center for Child Advocates does not provide a hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect. To report abuse 24 hours a day, please call:
Philadelphia Department of Human Services Child Abuse Hotline at 215-683-6100
ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313
ChildLine is the 24-hour toll free telephone reporting system operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to receive reports of suspected child abuse.
ChildLine forwards the report of suspected child abuse to the local county children and youth agency, which investigates the report to determine if the allegations can be substantiated as child abuse/neglect and also arranges for or provides the services that are needed to prevent the further maltreatment of the child and to preserve the family unity.
Once a call has been made, the county children and youth agency must begin an investigation within 24 hours. A thorough inquiry is conducted to determine if the child was abused and what services are appropriate for the child and family. Q: Who are mandated reporters?
A: Individuals who, in the course of their employment, occupation or practice of a profession, come into contact with children and have reasonable cause to suspect that a child under the care, supervision, guidance, or training of that person or of an agency, institution, organization or other entity with which that person is affiliated is a victim of child abuse.
Q: What can I do if a child is not being cared for properly, but may not be an abused child?
A: Reports about the safety of children including (but not limited to) inadequate housing, clothing and supervision should be referred to the county children and youth agency (i.e., DHS) for assessment as general protective service cases.
Q: What should I do when I suspect a child has been abused?
A: The law says that mandated reporters must immediately make a report, or notify the person in charge. The person in charge or the designee must make a report of suspected child abuse immediately to ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.
Q: What else must a mandated reporter do after calling ChildLine?
A:Mandated reporters must also complete a report of suspected child abuse (CY 47). This form can be obtained from the children and youth agency in your county and must be submitted within 48 hours to the county agency. However, it is acceptable to submit the information in letter form.
Q: Do I have to know for sure that a child was abused?
A:NO. Your responsibility is to make the report when you suspect a child is abused. The caseworker of the county children and youth agency will investigate and determine whether the child was abused.
Q: Must I report?
A:Yes. Mandated reporters, by law must report suspected abuse when they have reason to suspect on the basis of medical, professional or other training and experience, that the child has been abused.
Q: What could happen to me if I don’t report?
A:A mandated reporter who is convicted of willfully failing to report or refer suspected child abuse is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. A second or subsequent offense is a misdemeanor of the second degree. The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor of the third degree is $2,500 and/or one year in jail; for a misdemeanor of the second degree it is a $5,000 and/or two years in jail.
If you suspect a child you know is being abused, you should call the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare hotline at 800-932-0313. In Philadelphia, you can also call DHS directly at 215-683-6100
If you think that someone abused you or a friend, you should tell a trusted adult right away. You can also call 800-932-0313 or 911 anytime.
