Child Abuse Increase

The connection between going to school and reports about Child Abuse

Since schools closed last march, officials say there had been a significant decrease in child abuse reporting.

News 12's joeli poole explains why this isn't necessarily good news.

"every adult has the responsibility to protect children.

Adults are the primary perpetrators of childsexual abuse and child abuse.

Adults have the power to stop cycles."

Teachers make up the largest group of child abuse reporters in the united states.

Officials say since students haven't been inside the classroom since march the amount of reports have dropped by more than 50 %.

Officials have already seen a rise in the number of reported cases in july , so they are expecting a dramatic increase in reports when schools reopen.

Kristen palvik mccallie " what we predict to happen with our number is that there will be an influx once kids get back to their normal routines.

The callers we were getting through the thick of the pandemic when everyone was sheltering in place were from law enforcement and medical professionals because those were the folks seeing kids."

The child advocacy center says they are working to train teachers on how to recognize the signs of child abuse whether they see children online or in the classroom.

Mccallie "because we are continuing this online life, teachers are getting a peek into the kids houses.which they may not have gotten before and you can see a lot of different things, behaviors and conversations."

Officials say when teachers have strong relationships with their students it can help the child feel safer about asking for help.

Mccallie "the way kids disclose is not beginning, middle and end.

They are going to test and see and use their own language.

For adults it might not be necessarily seeking out particular signs but so more of making yourself an adult that that kid feels comfortable coming to."

If you suspect a child is being abused, call the child abuse hotline number.

In hamilton county, joeli poole, news 12 now.

A lafayette woman has been arrested and charged