Penn State launches hotline for reporting abuse

Penn State University’s Office of Student Affairs has launched a hotline for students to report abuse in the wake of the sex abuse scandal that has rocked the university.

Penn State’s Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Hotline, which was activated today, is run by ProtoCall, an Oregon-based company that provides crisis response and triage services to roughly 55 colleges in the U.S. and other employers. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all Penn State campuses.

“Provision of this service is an additional part of Penn State’s commitment to make sure victims and observers of victimization have access to a full spectrum of campus and community resources,” said Peggy Lorah, director of the Center for Women Students at University Park.

The number is 800-550-7575. The Center for Women Students will also provide limited on-campus support services.

The U.S. Department of Education is also reviewing whether the university failed to comply with the Clery Act, which requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crimes that are reported on campus. The review is in reference to the allegations of sexual abuse by former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

The university’s board of trustees have tapped former FBI director Louis Freeh to head an independent investigation into the university’s policies and handling of the Sandusky situation.