Administration

Penn State announces confidential child abuse counseling services

Victims asked to call toll-free number if they want help

Penn State President Rodney Erickson and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Karen Peetz announced today (March 21) that the University has partnered with Praesidium Inc. to arrange counseling services for those who may have suffered abuse from Jerry Sandusky. When they assumed office, Erickson and Peetz both said that one of their top priorities is the children who may have been harmed. Peetz announced in January that the University would pay for counseling for the affected individuals. The University has now finalized the process for such counseling and is providing notice to affected individuals of these free services.

The counseling will be completely confidential -- the University will not know the identity of those who use the services, which will be provided by counselors outside of Penn State.

"We at Penn State are committed to helping victims of child abuse in every way we can," Erickson said. "This is an important step in our effort to do so. We hope those in need will use these services."

Affected individuals currently undergoing counseling, those in need of counseling, and their family members or friends, may call Praesidium at 1-888-961-9273 or email referral@praesidiuminc.com to learn more about the services and how to use them.

Praesidium is the national leader in abuse risk management with more than two decades of experience and more than 4,000 clients. Praesidium’s mission is to protect those in the care of organizations from abuse and to preserve trust in that organization. For more information, visit: http://www.praesidiuminc.com/pennstate.

 

Last Updated May 24, 2019

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