Changes in child abuse laws as advocates sought
Dr. Judith Cohen with the Triangle of Life app.
A close-up of the home screen map of the Triangle of Life game application.
Ten bills signed by Governor Tom Corbett in 2014 have strengthened protections for children against abuse and neglect, but advocates say they need more volunteers to join their ranks as more children are being caught in the net of abuse.
No longer can a parent or guardian shake or strike a child under 1 year old under any circumstance; nor can they fabricate or induce medical symptoms or diseases. Failing to report abuse is also a crime.
Dr. Mary Carrasco, director of A Child’s Place at UPMC Mercy Hospital, said those suspicious of abuse or neglect should call Children and Youth Services knowing criminal charges aren’t always on the table for the parents.
“The impression of CYS is they’re there to take your kids away. No, if it’s a minor problem or something that can be dealt with, or is a misunderstanding, they’ll educate them. They will get you resources,” she said, “because not every situation requires police involvement.”
“You need to do something, though. We’ve seen in the news over the past few years examples of kids being abused where a neighbor or friend comes on camera saying they suspected something but nothing major. Being concerned or having a guilty conscience doesn’t take the place of acting and protecting a child.”
It was also made a crime last year for anyone to retaliate against or intimidate a person filing reports on behalf of abused children. That helps volunteer child advocates like Rose Hubbell with CASA 4 Kids, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, the only child advocacy program in Washington County.
Hubbell has recently closed the books on two cases she’s worked on the past two years.
“The first case involving three children, with the oldest being physically abused and neglected, it was resolved as the oldest went to live with his aunt and the two younger returned to their mother,” she said.
In this case, Hubbell said the oldest child, around 9, did not have a rules system in place as his mother who had mental health and substance abuse problems did not instill a sense of mutual respect or loving authority toward the child; yet, he did respect and love his aunt, leading him to stay with her, while the mother resumed custody of her younger children whom did not suffer physical abuse and by the court’s ruling, saw improvement and responsible parenting over the course of a year.
Volunteers like Hubbell are given “friend of the court” status, which affords access to teachers, doctors, parents and relatives for interviews and interventions.
“We stay with the child or children through the entire court process. We are often their one and only constant, stable person in their life during that time,” she said. “We’re just there to be with the child initially, to color with them, play with them. And you’re doing this in front of the parents most of the time, so you have to build that rapport with them. There’s a wall up, but you need to get everyone to come together and acknowledge the situation. This is a court-ordered arrangement, but you can’t expect them to open up about this right away,” she said.
Hubbell said this was one of the best resolutions for a case like this, as sometimes kids are sent back to a foster home.
“The foster system is very fragile. It doesn’t serve them. It’s almost as detrimental as being in an abusive home because they simply aren’t cared for the way they should be.”
Vivian Osowski, executive director of CASA, said they’re in dire need of volunteers. But there’s also a way anyone can help.
“We’re having our annual benefit dinner and party, Chefs 4 CASA, April 24 at Bella Sera in Canonsburg. It’s food, music and a lot of fun,” Osowski said.
Tickets can be purchased at the door for $100, which are tax deductible donations. The proceeds go to helping advocates get through a year of case work.
“Last year, there were 124 kids, 48 volunteers. That’s 8,000 hours of advocating and working with these children in and out of court,” she said.
“We have children on a waiting list as well. We just need volunteers. You don’t need a background in social work. It’s 30 hours of training, then your clearances. Our training starts every year in May.”
“If we don’t reach these children and help them through this process, then they become part of the problem and may go on to abuse others,” she said.