Decades ago, the late Sen. Michael O’Pake (D-Berks) gathered a group of teachers, counselors and social workers who had been “making noise” about child abuse. The senator frustratedly noted that Pennsylvania’s laws forbade the abuse or neglect of animals, but not children. He asked us to help develop what became the Child Protective Services Law of 1975, which Gov. Milton Shapp signed into law 50 years ago this year.

One of our concerns back then was that some people were afraid to report, so we suggested both immunity and the concept of a “mandated reporter.” For example, teachers who should have reported but didn’t could be prosecuted and might lose their jobs. The senator’s law has been updated, but the mandate remains.

The law specifies who is mandated to report, but arguably anyone who suspects abuse or neglect should report. For example, elected officials might not be legally mandated, but they at least have a moral responsibility to “make noise.”

Jeffrey Epstein did not have any hideouts in Pennsylvania, so none of us have standing to report. However, reportedly Republican members of Congress have been briefed on the matter, thus they know. That they do mandates them to do the right thing.

Clearly demonstrating that he knows, Rep. Ron Bresnahan told me in a letter that he’d support a motion to release the files—though when he had a chance to do so, he did not object when Republicans voted to block debate on the matter. 

Now, he has another chance. He can support the effort by Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna.

Republicans decry “leading from behind.” Rep. Bresnahan needs to step out. Instead of hiding behind procedural issues, as he did with other issues, he should loudly support the release of the whole set of files. To do otherwise makes him complicit.

Joe Rogan
Eynon, PA