Joe Paterno: “I wish I had done more”

Let’s talk about mandatory reporting……and a recently famous case of keeping it “in-house”.

Here are some key points that people may not be aware of:

1. Report shall be made immediately to the Department (DCFS).
2. Reporter may also notify the person in charge of the institution or school. 1-800-25-AB-- USE
3. Under NO circumstance shall any person in charge exercise any control, restraint, modification or other change to the report or the forwarding of the report.
4. All reports of suspected abuse or neglect shall be made immediately by telephone to the toll free number. 1-800-25-AB-- USE
5. A written confirmation of the telephonic report must be sent to the DCFS field office within 48 hours.
6. School Board members are mandatory reporters: “If an allegation is raised to a board member during the course of an open or closed board meeting” [325 ILCS 5/4].
7. Simply reporting suspicions to a superior does not satisfy the legal reporting requirements(See numbers 1 and 4 above). 

A useful FAQ on reporting is here:

http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/faq/faq_faq_can.shtml

“Mandated reporters who make good faith reports have the same immunity from liability under the law as non-mandated reporters. However, a mandated reporter's failure to report suspected instances of child abuse or neglect to DCFS constitutes a Class A misdemeanor; simply reporting suspicions to a superior does not satisfy legal requirements. “

Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1460&ChapterID=32

This should be a deterrent to those that would simply prefer to keep things “in-house”:

 How could they cover up the rape of children?

http://markamerica.com/2011/11/10/how-could-they-cover-up-the-rape-of-children/

More information onPennState:

“…I wish I had done more” (Joe Paterno)

http://www.galesburg.com/features/x363493262/Paterno-to-retire-at-end-of-season

 At least there is one person at Penn State with some common sense:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/penn-st-student-stands-up-to-angry-classmates-its-not-about-joe-paterno/