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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2007
Contact: Sarah Krauss
(212) 669-4193; (917) 541-0936
Release #: 072-2007
Public Advocate Gotbaum: If You Suspect Child Abuse, Say Something
MANHATTAN – In light of the tragic death of three-year-old Tkai Marcelle, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum again urged New Yorkers to report suspicions of child abuse and renewed her call for ACS to strengthen efforts to encourage such reports. In many cases of abuse, neighbors, friends, and family members suspect child abuse but fail to tell authorities until it is too late.
Public Advocate Gotbaum said, “Tragedies don’t happen without warning signs – in many cases, neighbors, friends, and other family members see or hear evidence of abuse. New Yorkers need to follow a simple rule: if you see child abuse, hear child abuse, or suspect child abuse, say something.”
In this most recent fatality, neighbors reported hearing screams at all times of the day. They also reported that the father seemed “on the edge.” One neighbor as even quoted as saying, “I probably could have prevented this” if only he had called ACS or the police.
Gotbaum wrote to the Administration for Children's Services in August of 2006, calling on Commissioner Mattingly to create a program to encourage and increase reporting of suspected child abuse among mandated reporters and the general public.
In the 2006 letter to Mattingly, Gotbaum wrote, “I believe the City has a responsibility to ensure that all mandated reporters understand their role and to raise awareness among all members of the community—neighbors, relatives, friends—that they can help save a life. I call on ACS to launch a campaign to increase training for mandated reporters and launch an awareness campaign so that people know that when they see something, they must say something.”
“We are losing too many children to conditions and situations that are entirely preventable,” said Christine Deyss, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse New York. “Reporting suspected abuse is the first step in preventing tragedies such as the death of Tkai Marcelle. We also need to create a community that is sensitive to signs of abuse and neglect and supports families—a community in which child abuse is less likely to occur.”
To report suspected child abuse, call the State Central Register for Child Abuse and Neglect at 1-800-342-3720. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911. If you believe your reports of suspected child abuse have gone unanswered, please call my office at 212-669-7250.
Gotbaum also reiterated her call on the state to create an independent Office of the Child Advocate. This office would provide permanent, real-time oversight of the child welfare system, including ACS and contract agencies and would help increase accountability in the child welfare system.
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