The news of the Grand Jury investigation into sexual abuse by priests and the coverup in the Catholic Church has left many community members with questions. SARCC staff are available 24/7 to talk with community members impacted by the news, or wondering where to go next.
In partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, SARCC will offer a 2-hour training on Mandated Reporting and Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Abuse. One of the biggest factors in children leading safe, healthy lives after abuse is having an adult who cares about them and is willing to act on their behalf. All Chamber members are invited to join us for a free training to review the program that SARCC offers to community groups and organizations, and discuss one positive change all adults can make to improve the lives of children in our community. Contact Ali Perrotto (aperrotto@sarcclebanon.org ) or Kaity Nordhoff (knordhoff@sarcclebanon.org ) with questions or for more information on how to request this training for your group.
We all have a responsibility to protect children.
Anybody who suspects that a child is being hurt, has the right to report that suspicion.
Certain professionals, due to their contact or work with children, have special responsibilities. These people are called mandated reporters and are required by law to report suspected child abuse. Mandated reporters are critical in the child abuse prevention effort.
Mandated reporters are not trained child abuse investigators.
It is critical to child abuse prevention to report suspect abuse and not wait for the child to tell you about the abuse. It is also critical to child abuse investigations that mandated reporters do not conduct interviews to prove abuse is occurring. Suspicion is derived from professionals’ training and experiences.
To make a report of suspected child sexual abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313, or submit a report online via the Child Welfare Portal.
SARCC Trainers are available to provide in-person training on child abuse recognition and reporting. Our curriculum has been approved by the Department of Human Services in accordance with Act 31 of 2014 and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in accordance with Act 126 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. More important - the training is evaluated, and shown to have a lasting impact for mandated reporters.
This Program was made possible through the support of the United Way of Lebanon County.