New Initiative in Philadelphia Requires DHS Workers To Explain Abuse To Kids
By Cherri Gregg
Philadelphia (CBS) – A new Philadelphia ordinance that went into effect January 1st provides an added layer of protection for the city's most vulnerable children.
The Freedom From Abuse Rights initiative requires that Department of Human Services social workers explain to children what abuse is and what they can do if they confront it.
DHS Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose says the law focuses on children under a child protective services order.
"To give them a voice, to let them know there could be someone in their lives who are victimizing them and they might not even know about it."
Ambrose says the children will receive a pamphlet, with emergency contact numbers and other information.
"It is written so that children can understand it easily. It has pictures. And it walks through the four types of abuse, which include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect."
She says the goal is to empower children. The information pamphlet will be available in the coming weeks.
