New program targets child sex abuse

By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- People living in Lawrence County can expect to learn more about recognizing the signs of child sexual abuse thanks to a new program and a federal grant.
The new HERO Project is a joint effort by the Crisis Center of Lawrence County and Lawrence County-based human service agencies will be reaching residents through billboards, radio and television advertisements, as well as speakers available to groups.
All of those things are being paid for with a $99,200 grant secured by U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart, R-4th, through the federal Children, Youth and Families program.
"While the abuse of children remains an all-too-common reality across our country, efforts to end this scourge must begin on the neighborhood and community level," said Hart of Bradford Woods. "The new HERO Project in Lawrence County does just that and is a tremendous step forward in combating the abuse of innocent children."
Education goals
Based on a program started in 2000 in Westmoreland County, the HERO Project aims to educate adults about the signs of sexual abuse and encourages them to report it, said Melissa Pearce, executive director of the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County.
They decided to launch the program this month because it is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Pearce said there will be another media blitz just before school begins in August.
A toll-free hotline, (877) 874-4376 also has been put into place for people to report child sex abuse.
Pearce said it's essential children receive counseling after being abused.
"The fear is, if it goes undetected, as the child comes to adulthood they will repeat the victim role or become a perpetrator. About 80 percent of all perpetrators were sexually abused as children," she said.
The statistics
According to statistics released by the HERO Project, one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually assaulted by age 18. In addition, 85 percent of child sexual abuse is committed by someone the child knows and thinks he can trust. It is estimated that more than half of abuse against children does not get reported.
Hart also worked to secure the passage of the Child Safety Act by the House. The legislation, co-sponsored by Hart, strengthens the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Program to enhance the ability of authorities to verify the residences and employment of sexual offenders.
The bill also requires sex offenders to verify their residence and employment with authorities every month and mandates in-person verification with authorities every six months.
The Child Safety Act imposes new requirements on states to notify each other when sex offenders move from one state to another and expands the list of offenses covered by the registration and notification requirements to include foreign crimes and military offenses.
The legislation also expands community notification requirements to include more vigorous notification of community law enforcement, schools, public housing and social service agencies in areas where a sex offender lives or works. The bill also increases criminal penalties for offenders to a minimum of five years to a maximum of 20 years for those that fail to meet notification and verification requirements.