Community Spotlight: The Bucks County Children’s Advocacy

“ For every incident of child abuse or neglect that gets reported, it’s estimated that two others go unreported.”

Sadly, there were more than 800 reports of child abuse in Bucks County last year. While the previous system did ultimately aim to help these kids, it was flawed in it's approach to children, often requiring several rounds of interviews in uncomfortable settings. The Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center was created to provide a safe, child- friendly environment where law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, victim advocacy, medical and mental health professionals can collaborate in order to develop effective, coordinated strategies to investigate reports of suspected child abuse. These strategies are child-focused and unique based on each individual situation.

Transforming the system, Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center provides a child-friendly setting where a skilled team of professionals come together under one roof to investigate serious child abuse allegations, conduct forensic interviews aiding in the prosecution of offenders, and connect children and family with therapy and victim assistance services — always keeping the best interest of the child in mind.

We recently spoke with the director of the Bucks County Children's Advocacy, Leslie Slingsby, to find out more about their efforts and ways the Bucks County community can help. Most importantly, Leslie shares important information about what to look for and how to report potential abuse in our community.

RECAP:

What are signs and symptoms of child abuse?

While in some children there may be no signs whatsoever, the following are the most common signs of child abuse:

Neglect:
• Obvious malnourishment
• Lack of personal cleanliness, torn/dirty clothes
• Obvious fatigue or listlessness
• A child unattended for long periods of time
• Stealing or begging for food
• Frequent absences or tardiness from school
• Need for glasses, dental care, or other medical attention

Physical Abuse:
• Frequent unexplained injuries (i.e. bruises, cuts, burns, black eyes)
• Frequent complaints of pain without any obvious injury
• Aggressive, disruptive behavior
• Lack of reaction to pain
• Passive, withdrawn, emotionless behavior
• Unseasonable clothes hiding arms, legs

Sexual Abuse:
• Evidence of injury to the genital area
• Difficulty sitting or walking
• Frequent expressions of sexual activity between adults and children
• Extreme fear of being alone with adults (especially of a particular gender)
• Sexually suggestive, age inappropriate or promiscuous behavior
• Sexually transmitted disease or pregnancy
• Sexual victimization to other children
• Relapse into bedwetting and frequent nightmares
• Complaints of painful urination
• Knowledge about sexual relations beyond what is age appropriate

What should I do if I suspect child abuse?

If you suspect child abuse in Pennsylvania, you should report the suspected child abuse and/or neglect to ChildLine at 1-800-923-0313. If you feel that a child is in an emergency situation, you should call your local law enforcement or 911 immediately.

ChildLine is the 24-hour toll-free telephone reporting system operated by the Department of Welfare to receive reports of suspected child abuse. ChildLine forwards the report of suspected child abuse to the local county officials to investigate in order to prevent any further maltreatment of the child.

Who is a mandated reporter in Pennsylvania?

Individuals who, in the course of their employment, occupation or practice of a profession, come into contact with children and have reasonable cause to suspect that a child under the care, supervision, guidance, or training of that person or of an agency, institution, organization or other entity with which that person is affiliated is a victim of child abuse.

Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center
2370 York Road
Building B
Jamison, PA 18929
(267) 927-0639
info@buckscac.org

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