Network News
Penn State to host sex-trafficking awareness event April 9
Mar 30, 2016REGISTRATION IS CLOSED - THANK YOU Each year, nearly two million children are victimized and exploited in global sex trafficking, according to a 2012 United Nations report. Though this serious problem often goes unseen, it is pervasive in places as far as Australia and as close as our own state of Pennsylvania. This April, during Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Penn State Child Maltreatment Solutions Network is hosting an awareness event to shed light on the global sex trade industry and open a dialogue among survivors, experts and the community. The event, titled “Sex Trafficking: Vulnerabilities and Solutions,” will take place on Saturday, April 9, and will aim to raise awareness for this prevalent issue while focusing on solutions to curb its growth. The Network is hosting this event in collaboration with the Colleges of Communications, Nursing and Information Sciences and Technology (IST). “Vulnerabilities and Solutions” will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Founder’s Room at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus. The event is free and lunch will be provided. The deadline to register is March 31. The event will feature Pennsylvania Congressman Charles Dent as the keynote speaker. Along with Dent, a panel made up of trafficking survivors, advocates and specialists will discuss the impact of trafficking and actions that can be taken to prevent the growth of this disturbing practice. “Our scientific methods can uncover the ways in which perpetrators reach children and lure them into a life of exploitation,” said Jennie Noll, director of the Network, professor of human development and family studies, and a presenter at the forum. “When we understand how that works and what makes kids vulnerable, we can raise awareness about what to look out for and how to educate parents and kids about protecting themselves against these vulnerabilities.” Noll's work specifically focuses on re-victimization of children facing past abuse and says that those children possess a higher risk factor of being exploited into sex trade. “The advent of the internet and social media has brought about new ways that kids are victimized in terms of getting exploited and involved in things like sex trafficking through online venues,” said Noll, who will discuss these patterns in more depth during her speech. “When we understand how that works and what makes kids vulnerable, we can raise awareness about what to look out for and how to educate parents and kids about protecting themselves against these vulnerabilities." The Network’s event comes at a poignant time. According to the New York Times, the U.S. Senate took action earlier this month on a website, Backpage.com, that has been accused of masking the trafficking and prostitution of minors behind adult classified advertisements. Over a number of years, hundreds of instances of trafficking have been traced back to the site. A team of Penn State IST specialists have been looking at sites of this nature, predation patterns, and ways to increase security measures to protect children from encountering sex traffickers online. The team will present some findings, concerns and proactive steps to take moving forward at the “Vulnerabilities and Solutions” event. In combining with the Colleges of IST, Communications, and Nursing, Noll said the event aims to show the impact of trafficking from a number of sides. The program will cover technological mechanisms to stop trafficking, legislative aspects of the crime, stories from survivors, vulnerabilities for children and a community discussion about ways in which the $99 billion industry of sex trafficking can be brought to a halt. The program also will feature a brief film, The Turn Out, that highlights the difficult realities faced by underage trafficking victims. For more information, go to the Network’s website.
Shalev Publishes New Work on Early-Life Stress and Reproduction
Mar 25, 2016Network faculty Idan Shalev, along with Jay Belsky, has recently published a new study linking aging, early-life stress and reproduction. The study focuses on the role of telomeres in life stress and reproduction and how these two things, surprisingly, tap into the same evolutionary-developmental process.
Better definition needed for reasonable medical certainty in child abuse cases
Feb 10, 2016Physicians use different definitions of "reasonable medical certainty" when testifying as expert witnesses in child abuse cases. The variability is troubling because it could result in flawed rulings, according to researchers at Penn State College of Medicine. In court cases involving alleged child abuse, expert medical witnesses are asked to testify if abuse has occurred and when. Attorneys commonly ask expert witnesses to express their opinions in terms of reasonable medical certainty. However, there is no clear legal definition for the term. In many cases, the threshold of probability that constitutes reasonable medical certainty is left to the discretion of the experts. And despite the court's reliance on this opinion in reaching a verdict, experts are seldom asked to share this probability with the court during their testimony. To better understand how experts define reasonable medical certainty in the context of court cases, Mark S. Dias, professor of neurosurgery and pediatrics, along with investigators at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Penn State Dickinson School of Law, surveyed medical specialists who testify in cases of suspected abusive head trauma. The 294 respondents to the email survey included child abuse pediatricians, forensic pathologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric ophthalmologists and other specialists from across the country. Although 95 percent of respondents had testified in court, only 37 percent of them said they were comfortable with their definition of reasonable medical certainty. About half of the respondents defined it as a probability greater than or equal to 90 percent. However, almost a third of respondents defined reasonable medical certainty as at least 50 percent probability, while 2 percent of the experts used an even lower threshold. The researchers published their results in Child Abuse and Neglect. "The majority of respondents clumped around a certain range of probability for their definition of reasonable medical certainty, but there was significant variability," Dias said. "On the one hand there were people who said they needed to be 99 percent sure that abuse had occurred, while people on the other end of the spectrum were comfortable with being 25 percent sure." Most of the study participants -- 95 percent -- said that child abuse had to be the most likely diagnosis to constitute reasonable medical certainty. However, 10 of the experts for whom the reasonable medical threshold was 70 percent or higher also said that child abuse did not have to be the most likely diagnosis to satisfy their threshold of reasonable medical certainty. "They said, 'I need to be 70 percent sure that abuse has occurred,' and then they said that abuse could be the second or third -- even fifth -- most likely diagnosis," Dias said. "That doesn't really jive." Some respondents also shifted their reasonable medical threshold depending on the setting or charges. A significant minority of respondents -- 27 percent -- used a different interpretation of reasonable medical threshold for criminal court versus family court, and 9 percent reported using a different interpretation when the criminal charge was murder versus assault and battery. This approach is inappropriate, according to the researchers. "If you're testifying to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, it doesn't matter what court you're in or what the charges are," Dias said. "The court requires you to use the same standard, although it won't define it for you." The variability in definitions for reasonable medical threshold means that judges and jurors don't know with what degree of certainty a witness is testifying. When expert witnesses testify for opposing sides, their opinions may not be based on the same threshold of certainty. "The juries think that everybody's testifying to the same degree of certainty, and that may not be true," said Dias. The researchers suggest that expert medical witnesses should state their threshold of reasonable medical certainty when they testify. "Jurors are listening to the expert witnesses and they're being told two different things by two different experts," Dias said. "The jury then has to decide which of these experts is more believable. Knowing that one expert defines their degree of certainty as 98 percent and the other defines it as 50 percent would help the jury." Action from the legal community is also warranted, according to the researchers. "If they're not going to better define this term, they open up potential for injustice on both sides," Dias said. "Guilty people may be let off and innocent people may go to jail. The stakes are too high for us to continue the way we've been doing it." The researchers are now conducting a study to determine how judges and attorneys understand and apply reasonable medical threshold in cases of suspected child abuse. Other investigators on this project were Susan Boehmer, Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine; Lucy Johnston-Walsh, Penn State Dickinson School of Law; and Dr. Benjamin H. Levi, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Department of Humanities, Penn State College of Medicine.
Biobehavioral Health professor honored by Association for Psychological Science
Jan 22, 2016Idan Shalev, assistant professor of biobehavioral health (BBH) at Penn State, has been recognized by the Association for Psychological Science (APS) for his work in genetics, stress and aging. Shalev is a 2015 recipient of the Rising Star Award. The award recognizes outstanding psychological scientists in the earliest stages of their research career post-doctorate whose innovative work has already advanced the field and signals great potential for their continued contributions. He has been recognized along with 100 other researchers from all over the world. “It’s a great honor to receive this type of recognition for the work I’m doing,” Shalev said. “My work is perhaps not considered that of the classic psychological sciences, as it incorporates molecular biology techniques. It’s great that the APS is recognizing this integrative work. This award also provides me with some expectations for the future.” Shalev’s work focuses on telomeres, which are small protective “caps” at the tip of chromosomes. Without these protectors, cells can stop functioning and eventually die. Shalev’s research aims to determine how environmental stressors can accelerate the damage of telomeres. “We may be able to look at telomeres to predict mortality,” Shalev said. “We already know that early life stressors, such as exposure to violence and major life changes, can predict early death. Telomeres are one potential marker to explain why.” Roger McCarter, interim head of the department, said Shalev is a superb researcher and excellent teacher, and this award helps spotlight the great work of the college. “Telomeres hold great potential as a marker of health and as a determinant of longevity,” McCarter said. “Having one of our faculty who is an expert in this area is great for the university. This recognition brings added excitement in the research community.” Shalev joined Penn State in 2014. He received his doctorate from Hebrew University in 2010. The APS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific psychology and its representation at the national and international level.
Penn State partnership helping urban communities
Jan 14, 2016Asthma, obesity, and behavior problems are just a few of the risks low-income and minority children face, but a Penn State-community partnership is providing support to help these families through a variety of research projects. This initiative, Parents and Children Together (PACT), is a part of Penn State’s Harrisburg Center for Healthy Child Development (HCHCD) and promotes research on the health and well-being of diverse children, youth, and families. PACT fosters community partnerships with Penn State to improve science and outreach and be a model of community engaged research. Funded by Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute, PACT was formed in 2007 after developmental and family researchers expressed a need for increasing the diversity of families in their research studies. “Prior to this initiative, efforts to recruit families with infants and young children from underserved urban areas in Harrisburg were very challenging,” said Kristin Buss, PACT and HCHCD director and professor of psychology at Penn State. “Community leaders said families felt a lack of reciprocity and were concerned that participation in research would not benefit them or the community.” In order to overcome barriers of doing research within the community, improve community-university relations, and build trust with lower income and minority families, Penn State researchers consulted with community leaders and a community advisory board was created. “Through the board, researchers established a presence in the community and discovered ways of giving back and providing research support to build stronger families and neighborhoods,” Buss explained. The community advisory board discovered families have a strong desire and vested interest in being a part of the research process. Through the board, community leaders and members provide feedback to researchers and work with them to maximize the potential for successful projects in the community, as researchers ensure the community’s needs receive attention. “Community input is critical to conducting culturally sensitive and meaningful research,” said Buss. PACT is unique in that it provides both community and project resources and serves as a connection between Penn State and the community. Some of this research is accompanied by intervention, while other families in studies directly benefit from parenting workshops, staff trainings, having their voices heard, and receiving support from other families. Additionally, research projects also bring employment and educational opportunities to the community. PACT resources include a three-room observation lab equipped with ambulatory electrocardiogramand video recording equipment. In addition, Carmen Henry-Harris, community outreach coordinator, promotes PACT throughout the Harrisburg community. “Carmen forges new relationships with community organizations and establishes recruitment sites for the multiple PACT studies collecting data in Harrisburg,” Buss said. Use of the lab is open to Penn State researchers whose project demonstrates a benefit to the Harrisburg community. For more information on PACT or to submit a proposal, contact Buss at kbuss@psu.edu or (814) 863-1715.
New minor offers courses on child protection and advocacy
Oct 21, 2015The fall semester is more than halfway over and Penn State students are in the midst of planning and preparing their schedules for the rest of their year in Happy Valley. With thousands of courses from which to choose, Penn Staters can find a class for any interest, be it beekeeping, neuroscience or something in between. The newest courses on the block, however, are those under the purview of the University’s new Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies (CMAS) minor. The minor is the first of its kind in the Big 10, and is quickly gaining traction. Focused on giving students the tools to understand the detection, treatment and prevention of child maltreatment, the CMAS minor has seen great student enthusiasm in its first semester at Penn State. Sandee Kyler, assistant director of the Penn State Child Maltreatment Solutions Network, said she is receiving inquiries about the minor on a daily basis from interested students, and estimates that around 40 are already enrolled. The 18-credit minor is intercollege, uniting the Colleges of Education, Liberal Arts, Science, Nursing, and Health and Human Development, and the Division of Undergraduate Studies. Along with these, the Network, Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) and many others aided in bringing the new minor to Penn State students. Courses offered run the gamut, teaching subjects from maltreatment prevention to community response. Susan McHale, director of the SSRI, said that CMAS education is a valuable tool that is applicable to a variety of work environments. “Contact with children is common in many careers and we wanted the CMAS course offerings to reflect the diversity of these work settings,” McHale said. Classes encompass a number of interests including law, education, psychology and social services. The first course, HDFS 297A - Introduction to CMAS, debuted in August. Professor Chad Shenk is pleased with the course trajectory and the growing interest in CMAS among students. “I'm really looking forward to teaching CMAS 258 again in Spring 2016," he said. "We've expanded the enrollment and have approximately 20 openings left. We have a host of new guest lecturers coming in to talk on a variety of topics." Shenk said that he is glad to be involved in Penn State’s efforts as a leading university in child protection, and he believes students will benefit greatly from these classes. “It's exciting to be a part of that innovation and give students a keen advantage in the protection of children,” he added. The next series of courses in the minor are currently available to schedule for the upcoming spring 2016 semester on the Schedule of Courses under CMAS.
Registration opening for new intercollege minor
Oct 15, 2015The Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies (CMAS) is a new minor designed to give students a broad overview of child protection and advocacy including detection, treatment, and prevention of child maltreatment. The minor is open to all undergraduate students, and those who complete it will receive a formal Child Advocacy Studies certification. Registration for the minor will be available on eLion on October 22.
Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance appoints Frasier to board of directors
Oct 2, 2015The Board of Directors of Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance has announced the appointment to the board of Dr. Lori Frasier, chief of the Division of Child Abuse Pediatrics at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital and an acclaimed national expert in the field of child abuse-prevention. Frasier also is a member of the executive committee of the Penn State Hershey Center for the Protection of Children. PFSA is one of the leading mandated-reporter training and child abuse-prevention organizations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Frasier to our governing Board. Dr. Frasier’s deep understanding of child abuse and pediatrics is invaluable in our efforts to train professionals, particularly those in the medical profession, in how to protect children by recognizing and reporting abuse,” said PFSA President and CEO Angela Liddle. “The Board and I will call upon her expertise to guide us in our policy decisions with a laser focus on childhood mental, physical and emotional good health.” Frasier is board-certified in pediatrics and child abuse pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics, and is a published researcher with more than 27 years of experience in pediatric care. She is a graduate of the University of Utah and received her doctor of medicine degree from the University of Utah Hospital School of Medicine. Frasier served as a fellow at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center where she specialized in the evaluation of sexually abused children. She has held many academic appointments and served on several boards whose organizations are dedicated to work in child maltreatment. “It is an honor to join the Board of Directors of Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance,” Frasier said. “PFSA’s mission to provide the most thorough and professional training of mandated reporters in Pennsylvania, coupled with their commitment to safeguard children, dovetails perfectly with my life’s work in building strong, healthy children, families and communities. I am excited to embark on this new opportunity for service with PFSA.” PFSA’s Board, chaired by Jennifer Doyle, director of development and community investment for The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, consists of 13 professionals with extensive backgrounds in the fields of law, health care, government relations, communications, and accounting. Frasier’s appointment to the PFSA Board takes immediate effect and is a two-year term.
Network, College of Communications team up for wider outreach
Oct 1, 2015As researchers from around the world are coming together this week for the fourth annual Penn State Child Maltreatment Solutions Network conference, Penn State College of Communications students will be helping to further the discussion. This past spring, the college began a translational communications collaboration with the Network, where students have gotten involved to help communicate the purpose and findings of the conference to a wider audience. Spearheaded by College of Communications Dean Marie Hardin, the initial plan was to produce one video about the Network, but the collaboration has expanded to two videos, a blog, news coverage and live tweeting at the conference on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. “Our faculty can make unique contributions to initiatives such as the Network because of the skills, experience and expertise they have in translating scientific research into effective public messages and campaigns,” Hardin said. “This partnership, which has also involved our students, is exciting because of the impact it will have.” About a dozen students have participated over the past two semesters, some for college credit and others just to gain experience while working for a good cause. “This collaboration has given our students a chance to gain hands-on experience in a multifaceted project,” College of Communications senior lecturer Boaz Dvir said. “They work individually and in small groups on a variety of industry tasks such as filming interviews, conducting research and blogging about the great work the Network is doing. I’m thankful to Dean Hardin and Network leaders Jennie Noll and Susan McHale for having the vision to create such a wonderful opportunity for our students.” Dvir has worked as an adviser to the involved students, who represent all of the different majors in the College of Communications. He said that some students who completed independent studies in the spring have continued to be involved on their free time “because they value it.” In addition to helping spread the work, the students themselves are learning more about the Network’s mission and how they can help. This year’s conference is exploring the biology behind child maltreatment, which can translate into applicable strategies for diminishing and reversing its negative effects. “Until child maltreatment is eradicated, we will be fighting, pledging to abolish it. Students working in different fields are likely to come in contact with this issue, and it is important they know what they can do,” said Sandee Kyler, the assistant director of the Network. “It is everyone’s responsibility.” Senior journalism student Taylor Clayton has been blogging about this year’s conference, where she writes about Penn State’s effort to advance research in child protection from a first-person perspective. “This research being done is incredible,” Clayton said. “More people need to learn about it.” Clayton and other students will be live tweeting from the conference using the hashtag #PennStateChildProtectionConf. Clayton hopes her work will leave a positive impact on the University community and beyond. For more information about the conference, visit the Network’s website.
Child Maltreatment Solutions Network annual conference begins Sept. 30
Sep 28, 2015This Wednesday, Sept. 30, the Penn State Child Maltreatment Solutions Network kicks off its fourth annual conference at the Nittany Lion Inn, on the University Park campus. The two-day conference will focus on child stress and trauma, its lasting effects and potential to be reversed. Fifteen child stress experts, some coming from as far as London, will present on topics from neurology and genomics to advocacy and immunology. On-site registration opens at 7:30 am on Wednesday, on a first come, first served basis. Registration is free for all Penn State students, and faculty and staff receive a discounted entry fee. Participants can attend one or both days. The Centre County community is also encouraged to attend. “Child maltreatment and advocacy are serious and far-reaching issues,” said Network Assistant Director Sandee Kyler. “With child trauma research constantly evolving, there is always more to learn in order to better protect our children.” More information on the conference, titled “New Frontiers in the Biology of Stress, Maltreatment and Trauma: Opportunities for Translation, Resilience, and Reversibility,” can be found on the Network’s website.