Philadelphia Officials Urge Public To Make a Call If Child Endangerment Suspected
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- City and social service agency officials are imploring the public to take a more proactive role in reporting child abuse and neglect.
Although this call to action has its roots in the Penn State scandal, the problem of "see-no-evil, speak-no-evil" is everywhere.
The City of Philadelphia has a hotline for child abuse reporting: 215-683-6100. So does the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: 1-800-932-0313.
Philadelphia district attorney Seth Williams says if you are aware of a child in danger, or even suspect it, don't do nothing.
"Either contact one of the hotline numbers, or call 911," Williams (at lectern in photo) said today. "We all work very closely together all the time, so if you call one, it's the same as calling all of us. I know sometimes it's hard to believe that someone who you know may be involved in this kind of activity, but call anyway."
Speakers said the chances of a child being harmed by a stranger at the mall are far lower than by a friend or family member in what should be "home sweet home."
Reported by John Ostapkovich, KYW Newsradio 1060
