If your job requires you to work with children, you’ll soon be expected to report any signs of child abuse. If you don’t you could face a fine or even time behind bars. It’s all part of Act 31, which goes into effect December 31st.
According to the Center for the Protection of Children, child abuse in the Commonwealth is under-reported.
Dr. Benjamin Levi is the director of the Center for the Protection of Children. Dr. Levi says, "It's incredibly important that people who work with children be knowledgable about signs and symptoms of abuse as well as what to do when they have concerns a child may be abused."
He says new regulations under Act 31 will require people who work with children to report cases of child abuse.
Dr. Levi says, "If they know what they need to do and they don't do it, Act 31 has teeth in terms of imposing fines as well as prison time for willful failure to report."
You could face fines up to $15,000. So Penn State Hershey Medical Center launched an online program to help child care providers comply with the law.
Dr. Levi says, "It's an interactive engaging story-based learning module that research has shown will improve knowledge, help change attitudes and hoping to make a difference in terms of reporting."
Joyce Lukima is the Vice President of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. She says, "People will be more aware and better educated about what constitutes child abuse and therefore they will be more likely to report it."
Lukima is hopeful Act 31 will save more lives by, "Intervening early and that can help to connect children with the resources, counseling they need."
The online training program's called, iLook Out for Child Abuse. It's free of cost and any state mandated reporter can use it.
