Suspect Abuse? Take Action.

A public education campaign launched by the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Trust Fund, 36 county bar associations and additional partners

Recent high profile court cases in our state have brought child abuse to the forefront of news coverage. But, it is important to remember that child abuse is ever-present in Pennsylvania - and the numbers of children suffering abuse are disturbing.

Children need each of us to keep a watchful eye for signs of abuse and to take action if child abuse is suspected.

Under Pennsylvania law, those of us who work directly with children as part of our jobs are mandated to report abuse. But, bottom line, each of us has a duty to protect children and, if we suspect abuse is occurring, that duty starts with a phone call to ChildLine.

ChildLine can be reached toll-free at 1-800-932-0313. It is staffed around the clock every day of the year by employees of the Department of Public Welfare.

Learn more. Get a free "Reporting Child Abuse" brochure developed for the public education campaign. Additional information for those required by law to report child abuse is available in the free "Mandated Reporters" brochure developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

Read more about the campaign in the news release.

Read the commentary to the editor written by PBA President Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr.

Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, newspaper ads will appear across the state to promote the public education campaign message: "Suspect Abuse? Take Action." See an example of the newspaper ad.

The PBA also partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) in the preparation of the public education campaign information. Go to DPW's webpage for ChildLine.

ChildFirst PA is enhancing the education of front-line child abuse professionals, including investigative teams of law enforcement officers, social workers, prosecutors, child protective lawyers and mandated reporters of child abuse. For more information, go to the ChildFirst PA website.