The Penn State abuse scandal sparked laws that are ensnaring poor families

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Child Abuse Reporting Reforms in Pennsylvania Raise Concerns

In Philadelphia, an assistant football coach reported witnessing Jerry Sandusky molesting a young boy in the shower more than a decade before the Penn State University child sex abuse scandal broke. This revelation led to sweeping reforms in Pennsylvania to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

The reforms expanded the list of professionals required to report suspected child abuse, broadened the definition of abuse, and increased criminal penalties for failure to report. The intention was to protect children and prevent abuse.

However, an investigation by NBC News and ProPublica has found that these reforms have had unintended consequences. The number of severe child abuse cases resulting in death or near-death has increased every year since the reforms were enacted. In 2014, there were 96 such cases, compared to 194 in 2021.

The increase in reports of abuse can be attributed to greater vigilance in documenting severe cases, but child safety advocates and researchers are concerned that the surge of unfounded reports has overwhelmed the system. This makes it harder to identify and protect children who are truly in danger.

The Impact of Expanded Reporting Requirements

In the five years following the reforms, Pennsylvania’s child abuse hotline received over 1 million reports of child maltreatment. However, more than 800,000 of these calls were related to lower-level neglect allegations often stemming from poverty. Most of these allegations were later dismissed as invalid.

The number of children reported as possible victims of abuse or serious neglect increased by 72% compared to the previous five years. This triggered investigations into the well-being of nearly 200,000 children. However, for approximately 9 in 10 alleged victims, the allegations were dismissed as unfounded after inspections and questioning.

While the reforms led to an increase in investigations into possible sexual abuse cases, there was no corresponding increase in substantiated allegations. This suggests that the reforms resulted in more investigations but did not identify more children as likely victims.

Concerns About Mandatory Reporting

These findings raise doubts about the effectiveness of mandatory child abuse reporting, which is a cornerstone of America’s child welfare system. Mandatory reporting laws have been expanded in at least 36 states over the past decade, but there is growing criticism that these laws have created a surveillance apparatus that intrudes on the lives of families.

Some advocates argue for the abolition of mandatory reporting, while others suggest limiting which professionals are required to report and providing better training for mandated reporters.

The Cost of Seeking Help

The expansion of mandatory reporting in Pennsylvania has disproportionately affected low-income families of color. Black children in Philadelphia are the subject of a majority of reports to the city’s child welfare agency, despite making up a smaller percentage of the child population.

The fear of child removals and investigations has created a culture of fear in these communities. Innocent families are subjected to repeated investigations, causing trauma and potential harm to children.

One mother, April Lee, has experienced firsthand the impact of mandatory reporting. She estimates that she has had about 20 reports filed against her in the past two decades. These reports ranged from concerns over housing to scraped knees. Lee believes that a call from a mandatory reporter triggered an investigation that resulted in her children being taken away.

The separation from her children had a lasting impact on Lee and her family. She experienced drug addiction and homelessness, and her children still have deficits due to the separation.

Advocates for child welfare reform argue that mandatory reporting is not necessary to protect children and can cause harm to innocent families. They suggest putting the decision of when to report back in the hands of professionals.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

Conclusion

The unintended consequences of expanded child abuse reporting requirements in Pennsylvania highlight the need for a careful evaluation of such reforms. While the intention was to protect children, the surge of unfounded reports has overwhelmed the system and potentially harmed innocent families.

Child welfare experts and advocates are calling for a reevaluation of mandatory reporting laws and the implementation of alternative approaches that prioritize the well-being of children and families. The focus should be on providing support and resources to families in need, rather than relying solely on reporting and investigations.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
• SDG 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
• SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 1.3: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, disaggregated by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator for SDG 3.2: Neonatal mortality rate (per 1,000 live births).
• Indicator for SDG 5.2: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator for SDG 16.6: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 1: No Poverty	Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.	Indicator: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, disaggregated by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.	Indicator: Neonatal mortality rate (per 1,000 live births).
SDG 5: Gender Equality	Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.	Indicator: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.	Indicator: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions	Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.	Indicator: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services.

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Source: nbcnews.com

 

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