Reports of suspected child abuse have skyrocketed in the weeks following the arrest of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, and Pennsylvania state officials believe that the two occurrences are related.

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare generally receives about 2,300 reports of suspected child abuse every week, according to a department spokesperson. In the week following Sandusky's sex crimes arrest, however, there were more than 4,800 reports of suspected child abuse made throughout the state.

Welfare department spokeswoman Carey Miller told the Altoona Mirror that the Penn State allegations have brought child abuse to the forefront of Pennsylvanians' minds, and making people more alert and aware of potentially abusive actions and situations. In addition, she said, many of the reports made in the week following Sandusky's arrest were regarding alleged abuse that had occurred in the past. The people making those calls have been directed to police departments, who will reportedly investigate the allegations.

When the Welfare department receives reports of child sexual assault or other forms of child abuse, it first determines whether there are any children in "imminent danger" of continued abuse or long-term harm. If so, local law enforcement officials become involved. If there is no immediate danger, county child protective service agencies receive the information and conduct investigations and follow up on the report.

In 2010, Centre County residents made 185 reports of suspected child abuse to the state Welfare department, 20 of which were substantiated following an investigation. Sandusky is reportedly charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse involving eight children, all of whom were members of his "Second Mile" charity program.

Source: Altoona Mirror, "State sees increase in abuse reports," Phil Ray, Nov. 22, 2011