does pennsylvania report sexual misconduct with a minor patient to law enforcement

by Prof. Chelsea Powlowski MD 9 min read

Sexual Assault laws in PA | Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape

2 hours ago 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3122.1 Statutory sexual assault. Four years older but less than eight years older than the victim; or. Eight years older but less than 11 years older than the victim. A person commits a felony of the first degree when that person engages in sexual intercourse with a … >> Go To The Portal


Criminal sexual abuse cases are filed by the State of Pennsylvania on behalf of a victim. A suspect may face jail time, sex offender registration, and other penalties, if guilty. In Pennsylvania criminal cases, a prosecutor may file charges of child sexual abuse anytime before the victim’s 50th birthday.

Full Answer

What happens if you are accused of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania?

Criminal sexual abuse cases are filed by the State of Pennsylvania on behalf of a victim. A suspect may face jail time, sex offender registration, and other penalties, if guilty. In Pennsylvania criminal cases, a prosecutor may file charges of child sexual abuse anytime before the victim’s 50th birthday.

Do you have to report sexual misconduct to the PDE?

If you are a chief school administrator, the Educator Discipline Act requires you to report all allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual abuse or exploitation to PDE whether or not they have been investigated or substantiated. That means: every report, rumor or suspicion must be

What does the Department do to investigate and prosecute sexual misconduct?

The Department investigates and prosecutes instances of nonconsensual sexual misconduct committed by patrol officers, federal and state probation officers, wardens, and corrections officers, among others.

What happens if a police officer engages in sexual misconduct?

Sexual Misconduct. Law enforcement officers who engage in nonconsensual sexual contact with persons in their custody deprive those persons of liberty without due process of law, which includes the right to bodily integrity.

What do mandated reporters have to report in PA?

Mandated reporters, by law, must report suspected abuse when you have reason to suspect on the basis of medical, professional or other training and experience, that the child has been abused.

Who is a mandatory reporter in Pennsylvania?

Who is a mandated reporter? Employees of a health care facility or providers licensed by the Department of Health who are engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of individuals. Employees of child care services who have direct contact with children in the course of employment.

Who is responsible for investigating safety of child in PA?

the county children and youth agencyUnder Pennsylvania law, it is the responsibility of the county children and youth agency to investigate reports of child abuse and neglect or assess a family for General Protective Services.

What is the penalty for sexual assault in PA?

A first degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Indecent Assault is a second degree misdemeanor, unless the person is under 16 years of age and the accused is more than four years older. A second degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Which type of law or laws can contain mandatory reporting requirements?

The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) requires each State to have provisions or procedures for requiring certain individuals to report known or suspected instances of child abuse and neglect. 1 For this publication, information regarding mandatory reporting laws was collected for all States.

What is considered a child in PA?

§ § 6301—6385. Child—A person under 18 years of age. (i) The term child abuse means any of the following: (A) Any recent act or failure to act by a perpetrator which causes nonaccidental serious physical injury to a child.

What can CPS not do in PA?

CPS cannot enter your home without your permission. Although CPS can show up to your home without notice, they cannot enter without your consent. Unless CPS has a court order, or they believe your child is in immediate danger, they can't enter your home unless you say it's okay.

What happens when a parent is reported to social services?

If they suspect a child might be at risk of harm, they have to look into the child's situation and take steps to keep them safe. They might decide to put the child on a protection plan. They may interview or medically examine your child without you present.

What happens when a CPS case is indicated in PA?

What happens if the CPS Report is indicated? If you are named as a subject in a CPS report and it is ultimately “indicated,” all that means is that your name will appear on the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment until the youngest child named in the report turns 28.

What counts as sexual assault in PA?

Defining Sexual Assault in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania law defines sexual assault as engaging in sexual intercourse or deviant sexual intercourse with another person and without that person's consent.

Is sexual assault a felony in Pennsylvania?

Sexual Assault In Pennsylvania Under Pennsylvania law, a sex assault offense is considered a second-degree felony, where punishment can include up to ten years in jail, and a fine of up to $25,000.

How is sexual misconduct preventable?

Sexual misconduct is preventable through collaborations of community members at all levels – in homes, neighborhoods, schools and campuses, faith settings, workplaces and in public. Everyone plays a role in prevention and in establishing communities that promote respect, safety and equality.

How long does it take to file a complaint with the PHRC?

You must file a complaint with the PHRC within 180 days of the alleged act of harassment. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Opens In A New Window. prohibits workplace discrimination of many forms and requires employers to investigate all complaints and take action if they find that sexual harassment has occurred.

Is sexual misconduct your fault?

Know that experiencing sexual misconduct – whether it is verbal or physical – is never your fault. The Crime Victims’ Rights Act. Opens In A New Window. outlines the rights afforded to victims in federal criminal cases, including the right to be reasonably protected from the accused and the right to be reasonably heard.

How to prosecute a sexual abuser in Pennsylvania?

In order to prosecute a sexual abuser, you must file a report with law enforcement. Criminal sexual abuse cases are filed by the State of Pennsylvania on behalf of a victim. A suspect may face jail time, sex offender registration, and other penalties, if guilty. In Pennsylvania criminal cases, a prosecutor may file charges ...

What to do if you have been charged with a sexual offense?

If you have been charged with a sexual offense, a criminal lawyer can help you understand your rights. Time is of the essence, so talk to an attorney as soon as possible.

What is the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania?

A statute of limitations (SOL) restricts the amount of time a victim has to file either a civil or criminal claim. If you file a lawsuit after the SOL has expired, your case typically will be dismissed. Pennsylvania has both criminal and civil sexual abuse statutes of limitations.

How long does it take to file a sexual harassment complaint?

You must file a complaint (or charge) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 days of the harassment.

What is the bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for child abuse?

However, a controversial bill (HB 1947) is being considered, which would eliminate the criminal statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases and significantly extend the civil SOL. Some versions of HB 1947 would revive time-barred civil claims—allowing adult victims to sue both perpetrators and the institutions that failed to prevent ...

How long does it take to file a civil claim in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the filing of a civil claim dealing with sexual abuse must be commenced at any time within: 1 Two years of the abuse, if the victim is an adult, or 2 12 years from the victim’s 18th birthday (if the victim was a minor at the time of the sexual abuse).

What can a personal injury lawyer do?

A personal injury lawyer can educate you about your legal rights, help compile evidence, and provide emotional support during litigation. A Pennsylvania lawyer can also provide a personalized and detailed analysis of the statute of limitations in your case. It may also be in your best interest to contact law enforcement about the sexual abuse.

When are reporters required to report abuse?

Mandated reporters are required to report abuse when they have reasonable cause to suspect, on the basis of their medical, professional or other training and experience that a child is being abused or neglect.

How to report child abuse in the Commonwealth?

To make a report of suspected child sexual abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313, or submit a report online via the Child Welfare Portal. PCAR has trainers across the Commonwealth in our rape crisis centers that provide in-person training on child abuse recognition and reporting.

Do mandated reporters report child abuse?

Mandated reporters are not trained child abuse investigators. It is critical to child abuse prevention to report suspect abuse and not wait for the child to tell you about the abuse. It is also critical to child abuse investigations that mandated reporters do not conduct interviews to prove abuse is occurring.

What is the law enforcement misconduct statute?

About the Law Enforcement Misconduct Statute. The federal criminal statute that enforces Constitutional limits on conduct by law enforcement officers is 18 U.S.C. § 242. Section 242 provides in relevant part: "Whoever, under color of any law, …willfully subjects any person…to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, ...

What is nonconsensual sexual contact?

Law enforcement officers who engage in nonconsensual sexual contact with persons in their custody deprive those persons of liberty without due process of law, which includes the right to bodily integrity. The Department investigates and prosecutes instances of nonconsensual sexual misconduct committed by patrol officers, federal and state probation officers, wardens, and corrections officers, among others. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to, sexual assault without consent (rape), sexual contact procured by force, threat of force or coercion, and unwanted or gratuitous sexual contact such as touching or groping.

How to prove that a law enforcement officer violated a victim's right to bodily integrity?

To prove that a law enforcement officer violated a victim's right to bodily integrity, the government must prove that the victim did not consent to the defendant's actions. Prosecutors can establish lack of consent or submission by showing that the defendant officer used either force or coercion to overcome the victim's will.

How to prove a violation of 242?

To prove a violation of § 242, the government must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt: (1) that the defendant deprived a victim of a right protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, (2) that the defendant acted willfully, and (3) that the defendant was acting under color of law.

What does the government have to show when a prisoner is convicted?

If the victim is a convicted prisoner, the government must show that the law enforcement officer used physical force to punish , retaliate against, an inmate, or otherwise cause harm to the prisoner, rather than to protect the officer or others from harm or to maintain order in the facility. See Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 319 (1986).

What does it mean when a victim is arrested but has not been convicted?

If the victim has just been arrested or detained, or if the victim is being held in jail but has not yet been convicted, the government must, in most cases, prove that that the law enforcement officer used more force than is reasonably necessary to arrest or gain control of the victim.

What is the charge against a supervisory officer for violating a victim's constitutional rights?

An officer who purposefully allows a fellow officer to violate a victim's Constitutional rights may be prosecuted for failure to intervene to stop the Constitutional violation. To prosecute such an officer, the government must show that the defendant officer was aware of the Constitutional violation, had an opportunity to intervene, and chose not to do so. This charge is often appropriate for supervisory officers who observe uses of excessive force without stopping them, or who actively encourage uses of excessive force but do not directly participate in them.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania

The short answer is that the law is in a state of flux right now. Unfortunately, this can make an already confusing situation even more unclear for survivors who are trying to find out if they can bring a viable claim.

What is the Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania?

The statute of limitations is a time-limit that someone has to bring either a criminal charge or a civil claim. Once the allotted time has passed, the victim can no longer bring a claim. This means that the claim is “time-barred.”

Current Civil Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse in PA

Civil claims differ from criminal charges because things like prison sentences or probation are not usually a result of the case. Instead, plaintiffs seek a judgment that may result in things such as damages being awarded, or an injunction being granted.

Can the Two-Year Window Still be Passed?

The short answer is yes, there is still plenty of hope and support for the two-year window legislation. Momentum behind passing the window legislation remains strong and in many ways the error has galvanized support for its passing.

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