CWLA and Edgewood Reiterate Call for All Members of Congress to Report Child Abuse and Neglect Based on Ethics Findings

For Immediate Release
December 13, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO — The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) and Edgewood Center for Children and Families are repeating their call for Members of Congress to enact legislation requiring that they be mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. 

In light of the December 8, 2006 ethics committee report on the actions of former Congressman Mark Foley, and other Members of Congress and certain staff, it is evident there was no clear path of action or guidance on how members of Congress should act when faced with potential allegations involving minors.

All fifty states and the District of Columbia, require key professionals and those responsible for the care and safety of children to report instances or allegations of abuse and neglect.

Shay Bilchik, CWLA President and CEO, said, "The recommendations of the ethics committee comes close to calling for specific actions when allegations are made in regard to the potential abuse of minors, but it does not go far enough and is too vague. We believe that Congress now needs to outline specific actions and steps that must be followed when information on suspected abuse is presented."

The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (ethics committee) issued on December 8, 2006 the recommendation, "All members, officers and employees of the House must pursue specific allegations of improper interaction between a Member of the House or House employee and a participant in the House Page Program."

We continue to be shocked over the apparent inaction to fully address this conduct when knowledge of it first became known. Fifty states and the District of Columbia have mandatory reporting laws that require various professions such as physicians, nurses, schoolteachers, child care providers and law enforcement officers to report instances of abuse when they become aware of it. Since the Congress does not fall under the jurisdiction of any state government it is appropriate that a new federal law now be applied to all members of congress."

About Edgewood
Edgewood Center for Children and Families (Edgewood) helps children and families take back their future by working with them to overcome severe challenges like abuse, neglect, mental illness and crisis. The oldest children's charity in the western U.S., Edgewood has evolved to meet the community’s changing needs. What began as a refuge for Gold Rush orphanage more than 150 years ago is now a nationally recognized, multifaceted agency. Edgewood serves more than 5,000 children and families in the Bay Area each year through community and residential programs.

Media Contact
Bryce Eberhart
415.730.9058
brycee@edgewoodcenter.org