As we continue our series on child abuse, it’s important to understand the prevalence and impact locally. Sexual abuse represents a common and widespread issue in both Schuylkill and Lebanon Counties. This sad reality holds true whether considering local victim service statistics or state Childline Report data. Sexual abuse, as defined by PA Child Protective Services Law, includes exposing a child to acts, behaviors, or content of a sexual nature without consent or the ability to provide consent, or creating the likelihood of those acts and behavior (PCAR, 2017).
Local Victim Services Data:
For each of the past three years, child victims have represented between 30% and 40% of the referrals for services received by SARCC, the sexual assault center funded by PCAR to provide no-cost services. During the 2021-2022 Project year, this included services to a total of 399 child victims (SARCC Annual Report, 2022). Of these, 211 child victims received no-cost services in Schuylkill County and 188 received no-cost services in Lebanon County.
During the 2022-2023 Project year, SARCC saw an increase in the number of child victims served in both counties. That year, a total of 424 child sexual abuse victims received no-cost services from SARCC (SARCC Annual Report, 2023). This included 233 children in Schuylkill County and 191 in Lebanon County.
During the most recent project year, SARCC provided supportive services to 363 child victims of sexual abuse, reaching 215 children in Schuylkill Count and 148 children in Lebanon County. We have also seen an increase in complexity of cases, in which children needed services for multiple victimizations, co-occurring issues with trauma and mental health needs, and a general lack of stability in the family setting. This leads to more time spent with survivors and families to help navigate the complex needs.
Child Abuse Reporting Data:
Experts assert that child sexual abuse is underreported nationally, despite the reality that it is the type of child abuse with the highest rate of founded reports (NSVRC; 2014; PA State Childline Reports, 2021; 2022; 2023). The landscape of child abuse reporting data in our counties still shows the pressing nature of this issue.
In 2021, the PA State ChildLine Report cited that there were 442 child abuse reports with 52 substantiated reports in Lebanon County. Of those, there were 1.7 substantiated reports per 1000 children in the community. There was also a rate of 6.2 valid general protective reports per 1000 children in the community. Sexual abuse was most prevalent founded abuse type, representing 31.1% (19 instances) of founded cases.
That same year, Schuylkill County ChildLine reports showed 462 child abuse reports with 46 cases substantiated by Child Protective Services. This represented a rate of founded cases of 1.7 substantiated reports per 1000 children in the Schuylkill County Community. Additionally, ChildLine reported that there were 82.3 valid general protective services reports per 1000 children. Just like neighboring Lebanon County, sexual abuse cases represented the most prevalent type of founded abuse with 34% (18) of cases.
During the 2022 calendar year, the PA State Childline Report, like SARCC victim service data, showed higher numbers of reported child abuse cases and a higher rate of substantiated cases per 1000 children. In Lebanon County, there were 495 child abuse reports and 72 substantiated cases in Lebanon County. This represented 2.2 substantiated reports for every 1000 children in the county. Sexual abuse was once again the most prevalent type of founded abuse case, with 48.1% (37) of founded cases relating to this type of victimization. That year, Lebanon County also reported 21.2 valid general protective services reports per 1000 local children.
In Schuylkill County that year, ChildLine reported 479 child abuse reports with 60 substantiated cases. Of those, there were 2.1 substantiated reports for every 1000 children. Additionally, Schuylkill County Reported 71.4 valid general protective services reports per 1000 local children. Again, sexual abuse was the most common type of substantiated child abuse, with 57.8% (37) of the founded reports.
In the most recent calendar year, the 2023 PA State ChildLine reported increases in child abuse cases overall. Lebanon County reported 459 Child abuse reports, with 70 substantiated cases. Once again, sexual abuse cases were the most prevalent type of founded report, with 48.1% (37) reports. The county also remained steady with 2.2 substantiated reports for every 1000 children and a slight increase in valid general protective services reports, showing 28.1 valid general protective services reports per 1000 local children.
In Schuylkill County during the 2023 calendar year, ChildLine reported 502 instances of child abuse reports with 57 substantiated cases. Sexual abuse stayed consistent as the most prevalent type of founded report, representing 33.1% (21) of those cases. There were 2.0 substantiated reports for every 1000 Schuylkill County children and 69.7 valid general protective services reports per 1000 Schuylkill County Children.
Whether considered reports of child abuse, or the number of new child clients receiving SARCC services, the impact is real. If you are concerned about the safety of a child in your life, you can report it to childline or connect with an advocate at SARCC to help get them connected to supportive services.
