Doing a better job of protecting our children

Hour 2

Several high profile cases in recent years involving the abuse of children have highlighted serious weaknesses in Pennsylvania’s child welfare system and the Commonwealth’s laws designed to protect them. Charges of sexual abuse at Penn State and against priests within the Archdiocese of Pennsylvania point to the need for (1) institutions to be held more accountable in keeping children safe; (2) changes and clarifications in the laws regarding mandating reporting requirements and reconsideration of the penalties for failure to report, and (3) ending the statute of limitations for sexual abuse against children. The serious flaws in our juvenile justice system that were revealed when a Luzerne County judge was convicted of taking $2.8 million in bribes for sending teens to private detention centers provide even more evidence of how our legal system fails children. All of the cases point to the failure of adults to be held accountable in the well-being of children. How do we improve our ability to safeguard young people — not only legally but also in confronting indifference toward and tolerance of the mistreatment of our most vulnerable and cherished citizens — our children. Child advocates MARSHA LEVICK of the Juvenile Law Center and CATHLEEN PALM of the Protect Our Children Committee are our guests on today’s Radio Times.

Listen to the mp3

Listen:
[audio: 112911_110630.mp3]