Child abuse during the pandemic
As we haltingly pull out of this COVID-19 pandemic, there is much to learn about child abuse, especially in light of the last two years’ isolation.
During 2020 and 2021, families spent an unprecedented amount of time with each other. Not only were schools closed for long time periods, but other support systems, such as organized sports, summer camps, daycare, in-person health visits and regular contact with relatives, friends and others outside the home, didn’t happen.
It’s unlikely that the frequency of child abuse decreased since the March 2020 lockdown, yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found a 20-70 percent drop in reports of child abuse. That finding highlights how important a support network is — both within the family structure and in the community at large — in playing a role to protect children.
Without that network, children were left vulnerable and isolated in abusive situations but could not get the help they needed. Financial hardship and other intense times of stress can lead to depression, anger, drug and alcohol misuse, a sense of hopelessness and all too often contributes to an escalation of violence in the home.
Community Against Violence staff saw firsthand the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on the health and safety of our children in Northern New Mexico. We saw a 37 percent increase in suspected child abuse cases during the pandemic.
Child abuse — whether through action or failure to act — causes injury, death, emotional harm, or risk of other serious forms of harm to a child. Sexual and physical abuse, exploitation and emotional abuse are all forms that are often associated with domestic violence.
Often, we have to decipher signs and symptoms because abused children are often threatened to not tell anyone they are being abused. According to ChildHelp. org, a national organization for the prevention and treatment of child abuse, those signs include:
Dressing so as to hide physical injuries, such as blows to the stomach or back of legs.Acting out an abusive situation during play.Bedwetting after being potty-trained. Expressing an understanding of sex beyond their age.Touching others in an inappropriate manner.Refusing to be with someone they once enjoyed being with.Making drastic behavior changes, such as acting uncharacteristically withdrawn. Becoming unable to concentrate on schoolwork.Often feeling ill. Our goal is to prevent child abuse before it occurs. Community Against Violence has built strong outreach and education programs to help our community do this:
Community Training for community members, service providers, educators, faith communities, law enforcement, social service staff and others.Outreach Education ads running on radio stations, in newspapers, social media and this biweekly column in Taos News, entitled “Everybody’s Business.” And our annual daylong Radiothon fundraising on KTAO in October, a chance for our communities to share stories and support this work. CHANGES- CAV provides an intervention and re-education program for people using power and control tactics with their partners and families. Participants learn to be accountable for their actions and work to change long-held beliefs on power, control, fear, jealousy and violence.Children often cannot tell us they are being abused. So, it’s paramount that our community work to educate ourselves and others on how to live, love and behave in a non-abusive way. Secondly, it’s dependent upon us all to recognize the signs of child abuse and do what we can to protect children.
If you suspect a child may not be safe, contact NM’s Statewide Central Intake at #SAFE (#7233) on your cell, or 1-855-333-SAFE.
Malinda Williams is the executive director of Community Against Violence (CAV) which offers FREE confidential support and assistance for child and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and child/elder abuse; community and school violence prevention programs; re-education groups for people using power and control in their relationships; counseling; shelter; transitional housing; and community thrift store. To talk or get information on services, call CAV’s 24-hour helpline at 575758-9888 or visit TaosCAV.org.