Prevent Child Abuse America's response, including suggested next steps, to ESPN regarding their possession of a taped conversation pertaining to the Bernie Fine sexual abuse allegations for almost ten years before coming forward with it.

November 30, 2011 

George W. Bodenheimer, President 

ESPN Inc. 

935 Middle Street 

Bristol, CT 06011 

Dear Mr. Bodenheimer, 

I am very concerned after reading yesterday’s story that ESPN possessed a taped conversation pertaining to the Bernie Fine sexual abuse allegations for almost ten years before coming forward with it. The mission of our organization is to prevent child abuse and neglect before it ever occurs. This mission is helped when we engage individuals, organizations and “institutions” to recognize a collective responsibility to ensure our nation’s children have an opportunity for healthy child development. 

When abuse is not prevented, or there is reason to believe that abuse is occurring, we all have a collective responsibility to report the abuse or suspicion of abuse, provide support to the child victim and develop protocols and strategies to decrease the likelihood of a subsequent incident to the child or other children. 

We all play a role to ensure that these strategies exist in the communities and neighborhoods in which we live. The recent incidents at Penn State and Syracuse University indicate that there is some confusion about the appropriate response by individuals and organizations when allegations such as these arise. This confusion must be eliminated through deliberate actions by responsible adults who share a common vision that all children have the right to a happy and abuse-free childhood. 

I believe the controversy around these cases and how they have been handled provides both of us with an opportunity to join forces and advance this cause and further educate the public that we not only all play a role in children’s lives, but that all adults are responsible for the prevention of child sexual abuse. Given this, I would like to propose that our respective organizations partner to: 

• Provide both sexual abuse prevention training to your staff and reporters; 

• Develop a special episode of Outside the Lines that provides parents and communities with vital sexual abuse prevention information and tips; and/or, 

• Create a series of public service announcements to advocate for public policies that support sexual abuse prevention programming. 

I believe that together we have the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children. We will follow-up in the near future to explore the ways in which we may accomplish this. In the meantime, feel free to contact me at (312) 663-3520, extension 810. 

Sincerely, 

James M. Hmurovich

President & CEO

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An Update and Summary: Prevent Child Abuse America's response to the Penn State case.

It has been three weeks since the story regarding the Penn State case first broke and as we turn our focus towards not only the healthy growth and development of all children, but healing the children who were victims of this abuse, we must redouble our effort to make sure this doesn't happen again.

We all have a role to play in prevention and Prevent Child Abuse America has been actively engaged in the national dialogue about this case starting with the release of “Talking Points, sexual abuse prevention tips and signs to look for” on November 5th, the day the story was first reported.

We worked with Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania to coordinate the Penn State’s community response to the case at the Penn State football team’s first home game on Saturday, November 12th.

We have been in conversation with a number of media outlets on a variety of topics related to the story including “mandatory reporting laws” which led to an appearance by James M. Hmurovich, President & CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America on the NBC Nightly News.

Finally, Prevent Child Abuse America has looked to focus on the larger themes of the story as well, including the specter of institutional failure and the promotion of healthy child development and distributed a Letter to the Editor analyzing this theme in more depth.

Going forward, we intend to stay focused on the prevention of sexual abuse and the expansion of innovative programming and policies that ensure we can prevent sexual abuse before it ever occurs. We will keep you apprised on what we are working on in this area. And we ask all of you to learn more, support this work and explores ways you can play a role in the healthy development of all children.

We All Have A Role!

Given the country’s current focus on children and the role of adults in children’s lives, I would like to take a moment this Thanksgiving, to give thanks for people like you, who support Prevent Child Abuse America. Your support is essential in our efforts to promote equal opportunities for the healthy growth and development of all children.  Only by working together will we awaken society to the fact that we CAN prevent child abuse and neglect.

Whether you are an employer enacting policies that impact the work life balance, a neighbor who offers parents time away from stress, or a member of the public advocating for the presence of innovative prevention programming in your neighborhood, we all have a role to play in the lives of children. During this holiday season, we ask for your continued support. A tax-deductible donation - here - will help Prevent Child Abuse America provide communities with the information they need to promote healthy child development, support families, and prevent child abuse and neglect before it ever occurs.

 
Donations can also be given throughout the holiday season in your name or in honor of a friend or family member by clicking here. Please take a moment to watch our "Awakening" video to learn more.

What are you thankful for? Give thanks this holiday season, and please consider giving a gift to support Prevent Child Abuse America. Children are our greatest gift, our greatest asset, and our greatest hope. 

Now is the time for our nation to awaken to how we can provide a healthier future for our children and communities. Give your gift - here - this holiday season, and together we can continue to build upon the hopes we share for all children. 

Sincerely,

James M. Hmurovich

President & CEO

National Fundraising Campaign on Groupon Now Underway!

From today through November 27th, Groupon subscribers will be given the chance to make $10, $25 or $50 donations to Prevent Child Abuse America. Funds raised from the campaign will support the purchase and distribution of parenting information to new and expectant parents enrolled in our hallmark direct service program Healthy Families America which you can learn more about here. Every $10 donation means another 15 booklets to be sent. The more we raise, the more we can send! 

Participation is easy:

1. Visit here.

2. If not a Groupon subscriber, visit here to join.

3. Or watch for us in Groupon emails and on Groupon’s site at various times throughout the week.

Groupon, launched in November 2008 in Chicago, features a daily deal on the best stuff to do, eat, see and buy in 45 countries around the world. Groupon uses collective buying power to offer huge discounts and provide a win-win for business and consumers, delivering more than 1,000 daily deals globally. 

To subscribe for the best deals in your city, visit here.

To learn how to become a featured business, visit here.

Penn State, the Specter of Institutional Failure and the Promotion of Healthy Child Development.

We wanted to take a moment and share a Letter to the Editor we wrote on Penn State, the specter of institutional failure and the promotion of healthy child development. 

To the Editor, 

Most of us want to live in a country that we can be proud of, where powerful institutions and people seek to ensure that all children have equal opportunities for healthy growth and development. The specter of institutional failure at the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is one reason why the unfolding scandal disturbs those of us who advocate on behalf of children. But the scandal should also serve as a wake-up call for everyone in the country that we all play a role in raising healthy children free of abuse and the long-term adverse impacts that can result when we don’t prevent it. 

As a nation, we should demand to know what kind of organizational culture at Penn State exists that even allowed the university to be in this position? We as a community of people who care about children should demand to know why these allegations were not reported. And as interested individuals we must demand to know how other interests may have taken precedent over the best interests of a child. We should be morally outraged that subsequent allegations of abuse occurred because no one acted with a focus on fixing the situation. There is no conceivable justification that would support the apparent actions taken, and not taken, by the university that placed other interests over the best interests of children. 

Prevent Child Abuse America applauds the Board of Trustees’ decision to fire the individuals who failed to act, including Coach Paterno and President Graham Spanier, and their efforts to improve the school’s obligations to the community and state. But as we turn our focus towards healing the children who were victims of this abuse we must redouble our effort to make sure this doesn't happen again. 

Through advancing evidence-based prevention strategies, including child sexual abuse prevention services, Prevent Child Abuse America seeks to ensure access to prevention in every community in the United States. But that is only part of our mission. 

I also believe that together we have the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of all children and that's why Prevent Child Abuse America helped found the National Movement for America’s Children (movementforchildren.org). We call on the public to help us ensure that policies and programs that promote healthy child growth and development are put in place and maintained. Together we can ensure that the next Penn State incident is prevented from ever occurring in the first place. 

Sincerely, 


James M. Hmurovich President & CEO, 
Prevent Child Abuse America

Milwaukee Co-Sleeping Ads and Our Babies: Safe and Sound.

With all of the discussion surrounding the Milwaukee Co-Sleeping Ads this week, we wanted to take a moment to remind you that there are alternatives to their approach and one such approach we recommend you take a look at is Our Babies: Safe and Sound, a project of TEAM for West Virginia Children, the organization which houses our chapter Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia.

Prevent Child Abuse America Legislative Alert!

Please Call Your U.S. Senators Today 

We’re 1 week away from the November 23rd deadline for Congress’s deficit reduction “super committee” to make decisions about how to reduce the deficit by $1.2 trillion over 10 years. 

This is our last chance to get the message to Congress that they must take balanced approach that includes meaningful revenue increases and recognizes the long term cost savings associated with investing in healthy childhood development. Home visiting, community-based child abuse prevention services, job training, child care, maternal and child health services, and nutrition programs are just a few of the services that could be cut if Congress does not take a balanced approach to reducing the deficit. 

These are the very programs that set the foundation for healthy child development and help prevent child abuse and neglect. Any short-term budgetary gain made by cutting these programs will be dwarfed by long-term health, child welfare, special education, law enforcement costs that our nation incurs when we fail to promote healthy childhood development and prevent child abuse and neglect. 

Call Your U.S. Senators Today at 888-907-1485* 

Use this toll free number 888-907-1485 and follow the instructions to be connected to your Senator’s office. Please call twice so that you can reach both of your Senators. Message to Senators: Tell the Deficit Reduction Committee to reject cuts to essential services for children and families and to insist on a plan that includes substantial revenue increases. 

*Thank you to AFSCME for providing the toll free number. 

Any questions about this Legislative Update can be directed to Bridget Gavaghan at 312-663-3520, ext. 819 or at bgavaghan@preventchildabuse.org.

Announcing National Fundraising Campaign with Groupon Next Monday!

Watch for the launch of a weeklong national fundraising campaign next Monday on Groupon! Funds raised will support the distribution of parenting information to families enrolled in our program, Healthy Families America. 

The more we raise, the more we can send! If not a Groupon subscriber, visit here to join. 

Watch for more details next Monday. Pass it on! Thanks!

A Movement Progress Report.

The National Movement for America's Children has gained major momentum over the last few months - so much so that it became necessary to take a step back and evaluate all the progress that we have made working together to build a strategy for America's children. Substantial groundwork has been laid for us to build upon when crafting a national plan for America's children. To share our progress, the Movement's co-founders put a press release to accompany the release of a progress report, which details the themes that have continually surfaced during the Movement's listening sessions. To view the press release and report, click here.

James M. Hmurovich, President & CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America talks about Penn State and Mandatory Reporting laws on the NBC Nightly News.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

More here.

Talking points. Penn State Assistant Football Coach and the prevention of sexual abuse.

Many of you may now be aware that a former Penn State Assistant Football Coach has been charged with multiple counts of alleged sexual abuse; and that a number of school administrators have also been charged with failing to properly report the allegations. Below please find the talking points we have developed in response to the case and our position on the prevention of sexual abuse.

This is a situation that should be discussed publicly, but one where we would like to raise some points that are not being discussed.

While the alleged perpetrator will be the focus of much of the discussion, we wish to change the focus to “what could have been done to prevent these children from being harmed”?

The right questions are now being asked by local authorities as to a) who had earlier suspicions and who received reports about the Assistant Coach’s behavior, b) did those in a position of authority meet both the letter and the spirit of the law when the reports came to their attention several years ago, and c) what changes in policy must be made.

REMINDER: About 90% of the sexual abuse cases involves a person close and known to a child; stranger danger is real, but is a much smaller percentage of sexual abuse cases.

This incident points to the facts that:

It is the not the responsibility of the child to keep themselves safe, it is an adults.

Abuse can happen to any child, regardless of wealth.

We all have a role to play in the development of our children and that includes becoming involved in situations where children’s well-being is or can be jeopardized.

Situations such as this in a child’s life could result in life-long adversities including a greater potential for mental health and health issues, substance abuse, delinquency and criminal behavior and that costs our nation $104 billion to remediate when abuse and neglect is not prevented.

The trial is the not the end of the story, we should ask many questions and share the lessons learned.

Once the trial and the Governor’s investigation are completed, we need to take action and the public should demand it.

Children Need Your Help to Stay Safe

Take an active role in children’s lives:

Both the activities children are involved in and the people in children’s lives.

Talking to children regularly about what they’re doing can help you stay alert for possible problems.

Know about sexual predators and sexual behavior problems and how they work.

Teach children important skills to help them protect themselves. Make sure they know they can talk to you about anything that’s bothering them or if they feel mixed-up or confused.

Be alert for signs of sexual abuse. If you suspect or are told abuse, report it right away.

Support community efforts, for example:

Volunteer your time to organizations that help protect children.

 

Getting involved in public education campaigns that help raise awareness.

Things parent should look for as possible symptoms of sexual abuse:

Physical signs include:

Stained or torn underwear.

Trouble walking, sitting or going to the bathroom.

Difficulty swallowing or eating.

Emotional signs include:

Depression, anxiety, anger or mood swings.

Fears of certain places, people or activities.

Nightmares or sudden fear of the dark.

Behavioral signs include - for example these children may:

Act out sexually or show knowledge of sex that’s not appropriate for their age.

Show self-destructive behavior, such as pulling their hair or cutting their skin.

Act younger that their age, such as wetting the bed or sucking their thumb.

All children are different; parents know when something is wrong and should trust their instincts.

What parents can do:

Believe the child - children usually don’t make up stories of sexual abuse.

Get help for the child.

Be careful with questions - try to find out as much as you can about what happened, but avoid leading questions.

Report it!

Further:

Depending on the age of the child, stay in the room during a physical.

Talk to their child prior to a medical visit and after the examination.

Point out to the medical staff any discomfort you as a parent have with an examination and or procedure.

All children should know that they can come to you or another adult if they feel mixed-up or confused, or if someone is not listening when they set limits about play or touch.

Teach children:

The right names of their body parts.

When they should talk to you - for example, when any behavior confuses them and when touching or other situations make them feel uncomfortable, mixed-up or confused.

When not to keep secrets - help children understand the difference between secrets and surprises.

That no one has the right to touch them if they don’t want to be touched.

YouTube Video Prompts National Conversation on Discipline

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO, Ill., November 3, 2011- In watching the video of Judge William Adams circulating around the internet this week we are reminded of several things. First, that we all have to take responsibility for our actions in relation to children. The Judge’s actions were wrong and he is no exception. Second, that we all play a role in the healthy development of all children and we need to ask ourselves collectively what role we can play in preventing incidents like this before they ever occur. Third, we understand why the judge’s daughter would keep this incident a secret for so long, but until further information is available, we are wondering how no adults in the community knew about this or were willing to take action; and how we can ensure this isn't the case in the future. Finally, while the actions caught on this tape in no way reflect what most of us would define, or defend, as discipline, this incident does provide us with the opportunity to discuss the long term impacts of corporal punishment.

Prevent Child Abuse America’s policy position on corporal punishment is that age-appropriate discipline may be necessary in school and institutional settings but that non corporal means of discipline, such as giving time-outs, explaining rules, or taking away privileges, have been shown to be more effective than corporal punishment. 

“This video should cause us to pause and ask a series of questions that can both educate and inform the American public on this contentious issue,” said James M. Hmurovich, President & CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America. “For example, what is the long-term impact of corporal punishment on a child’s development? And do children translate the use of this type of punishment as an acceptable means to control and manage others rather than providing more peaceful and more effective means of solving problems?”

We don’t know yet exactly what happened in this case. We do know it’s being investigated however, and that even though we expect adults to take responsibility for their actions, all parents are exposed to stressful situations. The question is what is in place to support parents in these situations and how can we ensure what’s needed is available?

The fact is, we all play a role in ensuring that innovative prevention strategies exist in the communities and neighborhoods in which we live. We also all play a role in children’s development and we know that teaching children violent discipline teaches them violence. More importantly, we know that it is not effective. Child development is the core of community development and community development is what drives economic development. We look forward to being able to discuss these issues as well.

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ABOUT PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA

Prevent Child Abuse America, founded in 1972, works to ensure the healthy development of children nationwide while recognizing that child development is a building block for community development and economic development. We believe that communities across the country are doing innovative things with great results to prevent abuse and neglect from ever occurring, and what we need to do as a nation is commit to bringing this kind of ingenuity to communities everywhere. Based in Chicago, Prevent Child Abuse America has chapters in 48 states and 387 Healthy Families America sites in 36 states.

Please participate in the SAVE for All campaign media day today.

As you might know, today, November 1st is the second public hearing being held by the Congressional “super committee” for deficit reduction and the SAVE for All campaign which was founded by the Coalition on Human Needs - find out more here - and which Prevent Child Abuse America supports and has signed on to, is trying to make sure that the upcoming deadlines for the “super committee” are on people’s minds, particularly since the committee must agree on recommendations by November 23rd. Instead of doing a call-in day or another email campaign, the Coalition has decided to start a conversation using social media and the hashtag #SAVE4All. Most people will be using Twitter but some will be posting on Facebook and others will be blogging and commenting on online news sources. So, please participate in the social media day of action today by either tweeting with the Coalition - you can visit the Coalition's Twitter feed here - using #SAVE4All, updating your Facebook status, blogging or commenting on online media sources.