Say Something: Cuomo Introduces A JoePa Bill To Help Stop Child Sex Abuse

Cuomo says no mo' (AP).

In the wake of the ongoing sex abuse scandals at Penn State and Syracuse, politicians around the country have been trying to figure out how to cover themselves and make it easier to punish those who don't report pedophiles working in youth sports situations. Call the resulting legislation JoePa laws if you want, the latest to trot one out is no less than our very own governor, Andrew Cuomo. Today his office proposed a new bill that would make coaches at high schools and universities in New York mandatory reporters of child sex abuse.

Currently there are no requirements for college employees to report sex abuse, and and at high schools, while many employees are subject to mandatory reporting requirements, coaches are not. This bill would change that because, while we all would like to believe that anyone who witnessed a child being sexually abused would report it immediately, it turns out people don't always do the right thing.

"Parents need to be sure that their children are safe in programs and activities that are organized by and at colleges," Cuomo said in a release today. "This legislation will ensure that those who harm our children are reported as quickly as possible to law enforcement."

If passed the bill won't necessarily prevent any sexual abuse from occuring, but it would theoretically help stop it sooner—and just as importantly allow for greater punishments of those who don't report it.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Garth Johnston in News on December 14, 2011 5:50 PM

Comments [rss]

Dirk

It's particularly disgusting to me because this cover-up was all to protect the integrity of a fucking football program. Think about it. The administration and coaches all valued a football team over the well-being of some children.

ChristopherMAnderson

A few facts to keep in mind:

1. 1 in 6 men in America are the victims of unwanted sexual contact before the age of 16. Over 20 million men in this country were the victims of molestation.

2. Statistics show that survivors of sexual abuse almost NEVER go on to perpetrate against others. To say otherwise is flat out wrong and only serves to ostracize and shame victims into silence instead of allowing them to come forward and ask for help.

3. The majority of molesters are known to their victims. Many perpetrators purposely seek out children who, for any number of reasons, are vulnerable and "groom" them.

4. Sexual abuse is not about sex. It is about power. What happened at Penn State and Syracuse is not a "sex scandal". These children were raped. To call this is a sex scandal is to do a gross injustice to the victims.

5. Lastly, and most importantly, to anyone who was a victim: You are not alone. You are not to blame for what happened to you. And it is possible to heal.

Chris Anderson
Vice President, MaleSurvivor
www.malesurvivor.org

Keith Smith

Stranger Abduction Sexual Assault Survivor and Child Safety Expert, Keith Smith shares "5 Steps You Can Take to Keep Kids Safe" at www.MenInMyTown.wordpress.com

birdtird

If you see something, say something. (unless of course your scared to lose your job or some dumb shit like that)

Rocknrope

Call it the "Something Everyone Should Already Fucking Know" bill.

AaronRed99

Enforcing the death penalty for these crimes will solve the problem in one fell swoop.

Politburo

Yes, just look at its track record of solving the murder problem.

Even in countries where it is very much enforced, the death penalty hasn't seem to solved anything.