Orange County Business Journal | Children Are At Risk – It’s Up to All of Us to Protect Them

Just days after schools, child care, and after-school programs closed, child abuse reports across California drastically decreased. This is not good news — it is cause for deep concern. Vulnerable children at risk of abuse are “sheltering at home,” possibly under extremely difficult conditions.

Even at the best of times, parenting is really hard, and during a crisis can be completely overwhelming — currently at a magnitude few of us have ever experienced. With the added anxiety of loved ones contracting the virus, fear of losing jobs and income, inability to pay rent, severed community connections, and the need to survive in small, cramped spaces — family stress and tension are at an all-time high.

Child abuse increases during stressful times, so there should be more reports not fewer. Sadly, the voices of our children cannot be heard right now during this time of extreme isolation. Without the protective eyes of the teachers, coaches, and doctors, who work with vulnerable children every day, we are not learning about what may be happening behind closed doors. Now, more than ever, these children need caring adults, like neighbors and other family members, to pay attention and take action. It’s time to speak up, to pick up the phone — it is your business.

As we can see from what’s happening across the world, protecting children is everybody’s business and we are all accountable. The United Nations reported that “Hundreds of millions of children around the world will likely face increasing threats to their safety and wellbeing – including mistreatment, gender-based violence, exploitation, social exclusion and separation from caregivers — because of actions taken to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Communities across the U.S. such as Illinois are reporting fear of increased abuse. Texas has reported a spike in cases of severe child abuse linked to the virus.

If you hear a child screaming or crying frequently, notice young children being left alone for long periods of time, or suspect children are being harmed in any way, call for help. You do not need proof of your suspicion. Even though it’s hard, especially during these challenging times, we all must make protecting children our business.

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