Penn State Children’s Hospital Approach to Treating Child Abuse

The Center for the Protection of Children at Penn State Health brings together an interdisciplinary group of Penn State clinicians and researchers to prevent maltreatment, improve reporting of suspected abuse, provide comprehensive care for children who have experienced abuse. Our team of experts conduct research to educate the community to better protect vulnerable children and support them and their families.

Not only do we treat children's injuries, provide care and oversight as they recover, we also work to ensure that they are protected from further harm.

The Center is one of four foundational Centers that make up Penn State's Network on Child Protection and Wellbeing, whose purpose is to advance collaborative, multi-disciplinary scholarship on child abuse and child protection.

Child Life Specialists

At Penn State Children’s Hospital, our specially trained staff of Child Life specialists meet with each child to help them through an illness. Our specialists accompanying your child during an emergency room visit or a procedure to provide coping strategies such as distraction, guided imagery, and deep breathing

Support Groups

Support groups provide children and their families an opportunity to connect with others in similar situations. Learn more about the support groups offered at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.

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Our Experts in Care

The experts at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital are committed to providing our pediatric patients with comprehensive and multidisciplinary care.

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Why Choose Penn State Children’s Hospital for Child Abuse Care

As the region’s only academic medical center, Penn State Health is dedicated to improve the detection, treatment, and prevention of child abuse.

Nationally Recognized Care

Penn State Children’s Hospital is routinely ranked among the best children’s hospitals in the nation due to our focus on patient care, safety and research.

Child Abuse Research and Clinical Trials

Penn State Health is researching tomorrow’s tests, treatments and cures recognizing the signs of child abuse. At Penn State Children’s Hospital, we are dedicated to improving the understanding of diseases and enhancing treatment and prevention of childhood illnesses through our research. When you come here, you get the latest, researched-backed care. Find out if a clinical trial is right for you.

Conditions Treated

Penn State Health provides care for:

  • Child abuse prevention
  • Child abuse recognition