Lawmakers discuss sex abuse reporting laws

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - The scandal surrounding Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky has prompted colleges and lawmakers around the country to take a closer look at laws requiring people in certain professions to report when they suspect or witness child abuse.

"Remaining silent in the face of the kind of abuse that occurred at Penn State shocks the conscience,"said Commissioner Joette Katz, Department of Children & Families.

Connecticut State lawmakers heard Tuesday that it appears that college coaches are not among the dozens of professions listed as 'Mandatory Reporters' of child sex abuse under Connecticut law.

"Our research following this scandal reveals, however, that Connecticut's mandated reporting law...does not apply to youth, college, or university coaches," said Katz.

In fact, the University of Connecticut, which is nationally famous for its basketball program, apparently has no policy. The Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote Wednesday on establishing a child abuse reporting policy at UConn.

"My son went to the Jim Calhoun basketball camp," said Rep. Diana Urban, Select Committee on Children. "I, of course, assumed that the UConn campus would have in place a policy to keep my son safe and apparently they don't."

Current law, specifically requires high school coaches to report abuse, but coaches at the college level were apparently left off the list when the law was originally written.

In addition to school coaches, other 'Mandatory Reporters' include people in child care, all medical people, teachers, principals and guidance counselors, members of the clergy and social workers.

However, lawmakers also heard Tuesday that many people on the list don't really know what their responsibilities are.

"Your responsibility is, if you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected; you must, by law, pick up the phone and call the D.C.F. Hotline," said Jeanne Milstein, CT Child Advocate, "or make sure that a report is made to the hotline."

The law requires that you call the Department of Children and Families hotline rather than the police. That's one change they are talking about making.

To view the complete list of who is required by law to report abuse visit DCF's website .