For a child, being injured or abused by a trusted authority figure can have a lasting emotional impact that is not easy to recover from. Because of this, it is important that in Pennsylvania we ensure that children are safe from predators at all times. Fortunately, our lawmakers seem to agree.
Think about where your child spends most of his or her time? If he or she is old enough, the answer is probably at school. And while most parents choose a school for their children that they feel they can trust, sometimes things are out of their control. Thankfully, our local lawmakers in the state Senate have passed a bill that is designed to keep children safe from potential predators that schools are allowed to hire right now.
Right now, schools in Pennsylvania can hire an individual who has been dismissed, disciplined or investigated for any type of child abuse. The proposed legislation would put an end to this. A second bill would create new standards across the state for dealing with a teacher who has been accused of abuse or other misconduct. Both bills have been passed by the Senate and will soon be debated in the House.
Although we are lucky to live in a state whose lawmakers strive to protect our most innocent citizens, laws are rarely able to stop crime altogether. If you find out or suspect your child has been abused by a teacher or other adult, it is important to know that you can file charges against that person to ensure they are held accountable.
Source: CBS Philly, “Pa. Senate Passes 2 Bills To Prevent Abuse By Teachers,” Tony Romeo, June 4, 2013