Child abuse is the ultimate betrayal, isn't it, the ultimate betrayal of a child, when every child has, and should have, a reasonable expectation of safety and security.

Senator Burr has a longstanding and persistent reputation for standing up for vulnerable populations.

We have got to dedicate ourselves now to the right policies, the right legislation to really protect our children.

I want to commend you and Senator Burr for bringing us together today, and I am grateful for that not only on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but the whole country.

This hearing will not focus on Pennsylvania. It will focus on the broad issues because it goes on in every State and, regrettably, in every community.

I have known Frank a long time, and I am so grateful he is here with us.

We will be sending a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct that kind of an analysis of the 18 States that have a mandatory reporting for all adults to further inform us about how this requirement has worked to…

Senator Casey, I appreciate you calling for this hearing, and for your continued leadership to ensure that children are protected, connected to health care, and have access to high-quality childcare and education opportunities, in…

The legislation seeks to amend the definition of child abuse to include 'any deliberate act... that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm...'

I wanted to go back to your written testimony about prevention.

If you have been abused, tell someone . . . get help!

With the introduction of Senator Bob Casey's Speak Up to Protect Every Abused Kid Act of 2011, it is our hope that Congress will work to pass this legislation.

We need to train adults to recognize what might be abuse, and that requires some pretty careful education.

It is understandable why some people want to adopt a Federal standard requiring that every individual become a mandated reporter if they have reason to believe that a child has been harmed or is in danger of being harmed.

In physical abuse, one of our biggest problems is abusive head trauma, the shaken baby syndrome.

I think it should.

How do we then reach people to educate them about that is a major question.

We welcome the Speak Up to Protect Every Abused Child Act (the 'Speak Up Act') of 2011 introduced by Senator Casey.