LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Following settlements of thousands of childhood sexual abuse claims under state law AB 218, county officials announced Thursday that a daily 24-hour hotline will be available to take reports of suspected child sexual abuse committed by county employees, contractors or volunteers.
Los Angeles County recently launched a centralized, independent reporting platform as part of its detailed corrective actions plans aimed at preventing abuse. County officials urged victims, families and witnesses of suspected abuse to call 211 or make a report online at 211la.org/report- childsexualabuse.
Reports will be automatically flagged for a senior county team charged with assessing claims and expediting investigations.
“Our new 211 hotline is a critical tool to help us identify, intervene and take swift action against anyone who would harm the children they are entrusted to protect,” Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis said in a statement.
“As the safety net for our most vulnerable, every county employee, contractor and volunteer has a responsibility to do right by our youth. We will work diligently to raise awareness of 211 as a safe and trusted place to report abuse — especially for youth in the county’s care — because broad awareness is essential to ensuring the effectiveness of this new reporting tool,” Solis added.
The 211 LA hotline and website reporting tools are not intended to replace the Child Protection Hotline and officials emphasized that it should not be used to report child abuse or neglect committed by a child’s family member or guardian. 211 is for reporting the actions of county workforce members including employees, contractors and volunteers.
“This new resource is an essential part of a much broader plan to ensure that abuse does not go unreported or unpunished,” Joe Nicchitta, acting chief executive officer said in a statement. “The county is committed to enforcing its zero-tolerance policy.”
County officials have taken other steps to reform its policies, which include:
— An enhanced countywide zero-tolerance policy to ensure the county takes immediate action to the fullest extend of the law when allegations of child sexual abuse are substantiated;
— Mandatory countywide training to identify and prevent childhood sexually abuse; and
— Planned reform of Civil Service Rules related to egregious conduct, among other things.
“At 211 LA, our commitment has always been to be there for people when they need support the most,” 211 LA Executive Director Maribel Marin said in a statement. “We know how difficult it can be for a child or family member to come forward and report abuse. It takes courage, and no one should have to face that alone.”
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