Prevention of Child Abuse Update
The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for families. Professionals throughout the country have expressed concern for children regarding child abuse and neglect rates.
While most areas around the country are reporting reduced rates of reports, this seems contradictory to expectations; but, explanations share that rates have decreased because children have not been in schools, childcare settings, or in contact with non-familial adults as frequently.
However, in almost a paradox, serious cases and child abuse deaths have increased. Between March and July of 2020, North Carolina has seen a 50 percent increase in child deaths due to abuse. Leigh Vinocur, a spokeswoman for the American College of Emergency Physicians, said doctors report treating more serious injuries in one week than they are used to seeing in a month.
The Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC compared admissions from March 15 through April 20 between 2019 and 2020. In 2019, 50 percent of children had injuries serious enough for admission. During the same timeframe in 2020, 86 percent of children were admitted due to serious injuries.
The National Exchange Club has championed the prevention of child abuse since 1979 and has worked tirelessly to support children, families, and communities during difficult times.
Exchange Clubs have stepped up during this pandemic to continue this support for Exchange Club Centers for the Prevention of Child Abuse and many other local agencies. These efforts make a giant difference for communities. Now is the time to continue on with this work. Exchange is in a prime position to provide resources and information that will protect children.
Thank you for all that you’ve done and continue to do!
