Smart Talk: Preventing child abuse hinges on trained observers

Knowing what to look for and then reporting suspected abuse is the responsibility of Mandatory Reporters

• Merideth Bucher
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Producer of WITF's Smart Talk

Airdate: Tuesday, April 27, 2021

There are nearly six million children reported each year for suspected child abuse in the United States and an average of five die each day from the abuse or neglect.

Preventing child abuse in communities starts with observant and trained reporters.

There are certain people and professions that are required by law to report suspected abuse. These are typically those who have access and can observe and interact with children. Teachers, childcare workers, and medical providers are obvious examples.

They are the greatest asset in the fight against child abuse. Active reporting, as early as possible, allows authorities to step in to protect the child and investigate the allegations.

PennState Health Center for the Protection of Children has developed an online training program called iLookOut for Child Abuse, which will serve as a national model for mandatory reporters.

Dr. Benjamin Levi, MD, Ph.D., a Pediatrician at PennState Health Children’s Hospital and the director of the iLookOut for Child Abuse project and Dr. Lori Frasier, MD, Child Abuse Pediatrics and director of the Center for the Protection of Children at PennState Health appear on Smart Talk to share information about training mandatory reporters.

Suspect Abuse? Report it! Call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.

For more on public health issues plus a deeper look at the changing tide of healthcare–check out WITF’s Transforming Health. Online at TransformingHealth.org, a partnership of WITF, WellSpan Health and Capital Blue Cross.

Solar energy boom leaves communities at crossroads

The demand for green energy is only increasing as the world looks for more sustainable energy options. Solar power is one such option experiencing significant growth. In fact, Pennsylvania is on the cusp of a solar development boom.

There are currently more than 350 solar projects proposed in the commonwealth, in various stages of planning. Some of these projects are meeting considerable opposition in the communities where they will be built.

Rachel McDevitt, StateImpact PA reporter, is covering the controversy, along with some of the misinformation about solar power and she appears on Smart Talk Tuesday.