Put children first, make the report

By now you’ve certainly heard about the news regarding Penn State University and allegations of child sexual abuse. One cannot help but see and hear about it in recent media reports of every type.

You may think this an odd statement, but the fact that it is being widely reported is good news. Certainly, it’s not good news that children have been victimized. In fact, first and foremost, we should be concerned about caring for the victims and their families, not about how this is going to affect a university or its football team.

When I say it is good news that this information is being widely reported, I mean that we, as a civilized society, must discuss this topic. Too often, child sexual abuse is ignored or talked about in whispers, which only allows the secrecy of abuse to continue. It is a very difficult subject to think about, let alone discuss, but if our children are to have any hope of protection from predators, we must discuss it and, most importantly, report it.

As adults, we all have the following responsibilities:

1. Work to prevent child abuse and keep children safe.

2. Report abuse when we suspect it is happening.

3. Let our legislators know that we expect laws that will hold offenders accountable to be written and enforced.

4. Treat victims of this insidious crime with utmost care and respect.

The fact that no one was courageous enough to make an official report in the Penn State case makes me angry. I hope it makes you angry, too. Once, again, innocent children were victimized and not one adult had the courage to report it to the authorities. By authorities, I do not mean the coach, school president or the janitor’s supervisor. I mean law enforcement or child protection — the agencies that have true authority and responsibility for investigating this type of report and helping to protect children.

Yes, I am angry but, sadly, I am not at all surprised. The unfortunate truth is that sexual abuse is happening in every community in this country every day, and many people do not report what they suspect or even know about it. There are many excuses for why people do not report, but not one of them is a valid excuse, especially because federal law prohibits the disclosure of a reporter’s name by a state’s child protection agency. Child sexual abuse is happening in this community, our community, probably right now as you are reading this. Is that OK with you? It is not OK with me, and it’s not OK with the team of professionals I work with at The Children’s Place Child Advocacy Center.

The sad truth of the matter is that people don’t want to get “involved.” Some people are afraid that if they report suspected abuse, they will get in trouble or someone will be mad at them.

Wait a minute. What about the child who may be enduring abuse? Children need to be our first priority. Think “child first.” Make the report. I have had people tell me, “I can’t make a report because I don’t have any proof or evidence.”

You do not need proof to make a report. If you suspect a child is being abused, make the report and let the proper authorities sort through the facts to come to a conclusion. The best-case scenario would be that your suspicion was unfounded and there was no abuse. But what if the opposite were true? What if there really was abuse occurring but you never made the report?

I’ll say it again, children need to be our first priority. Think “child first.” Make the report. Others think, “it’s not my problem, why should I report?” Well, let me tell you something. It is your problem. The problem belongs to all of us. In fact, child abuse is considered a public health issue.

There are many reasons you should report, not the least of which is that child sexual abuse is a crime. If that doesn’t convince you, maybe the following information will. There is well-known and widely respected piece of research called the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study involving 17,337 adults who became members of Kaiser Permanente, a health care maintenance organization in San Diego, Calif., between 1995 and 1997. Among other things, the study concludes that child maltreatment has long-term impacts. Children who experience abuse are more likely to engage in risky health-related behaviors such as early initiation of smoking, sexual activity, illicit drug use, adolescent pregnancies and suicide attempts during childhood and adolescence.

In addition, there is a strong link between childhood abuse and adult onset of chronic illness such as depression, heart disease, diabetes, hepatitis and pulmonary lung disease. The study shows that suicide increased by 1,220 percent in adults who were survivors of multiple types of child abuse. No, that is not a misprint: 1,220 percent.

The good news is a child is more likely to receive the help, protection, support and treatment he or she needs and deserves if the abuse is reported to the proper authorities. From a report, an investigation can be launched. Treatment and support for the child can begin. Hope and healing is possible, but the report needs to be made.

The Children’s Place Child Advocacy Center is nonprofit organization accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. Our mission is to protect children in a nurturing environment by facilitating a collaborative approach for the prevention, evaluation and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Our staff includes family advocates and medical professionals who specialize in recognizing and treating child abuse. We work as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes professionals from local, state and federal law enforcement, child protection, mental health, criminal and civil divisions of the Department of Law and Juvenile Justice. In 2010, 208 Mat-Su Valley children were evaluated at The Children’s Place because caring community members reported concerns of child sexual abuse, physical abuse and other forms of child maltreatment. But we know there are more children in our community who are being abused every day. We need your help.

What is your priority? I am asking you to think “child rirst.” Make a report if you suspect abuse. You may remain anonymous if you wish by calling the state Office of Children’s Services at 357-9797 or (800) 478-4444. You may also report to law enforcement. Alaska State Troopers in the Valley can be reached at 745-2131. You may save a child’s life by making a report.

For more information, contact 357-5157 or visit alaskachildrensplace.com.

Jennifer Burkmire is executive director of The Children’s Place.