Child advocates and social service groups are joining with an Arizona legislator to draw attention to growing concerns over the number of alleged instances of child neglect and child abuse being reported to the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS).
Statistics released by DCS show that child abuse hasn’t stopped because of the pandemic, and that in fact it appears to have gotten worse during Gov. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements. In April, there were 2,081 reports of neglect and 794 reports of abuse at a time when most children were out of school or away from daycare.
In addition, many medical facilities were operating on reduced services and not seeing patients except for life-threatening injuries or diseases.
Those concerns prompted State Senator Victoria Steele, (LD9 Tucson) to work with child advocates across Arizona to promote the Arizona Child Abuse Prevention Initiative. One part of the initiative is a public awareness campaign encouraging adults to take action when they have concerns for a child’s safety.
“We want everyone to take responsibility for the safety of children,” Steele said. “If you see a child being hurt – call 911 or 1-888-SOS-Child so the authorities can make sure that child is okay.”
Steele also noted that if an adult is unsure whether a concern about child abuse or neglect rises to the level of a 911 call, then they can call the national ChildHelp hotline at 1-800-4A-Child. Callers will be provided with information and advice.
The Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center (SACAC) in Tucson is one of nearly 30 organizations involved with the initiative.
SACAC Executive Director Marie Fordney says the unfortunate truth is that some children are not safe at home and are especially vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of not being at school where teachers, counselors, and even other parents would normally witness the signs of abuse and contact the authorities.
“One thing I love about Arizona is how we take care of one another, especially when someone needs help,” Fordney said. “Calling the experts when there might be a problem is one way we can all take care of the children in our community.”
Initiative partners, which includes Fort Huachuca CID and Davis Monthan AFB Family Advocacy, will also distribute information about the initiative to coaches, educators, pediatricians, and others who can help share information with children, families, and communities.
In addition to the public awareness for adults, the Child Abuse Prevention Initiative will provide online, phone, chat, and text support to children needing to talk with someone about what they are experiencing. Counselors will even be able to do a three-way call if the child wants to contact a child safety hotline.
Other initiative partners include Amberly’s Place, Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Arizona Department of Education, Arizona Child and Family Advocacy Network, Child Help, Child Safe Center, Children’s Action Alliance, Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith, and Family, H.A.V.E.N. Family Resource Center, K.A.A.P. Child & Family Advocacy Center, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Maricopa Family Advocacy Center, Mesa Family Advocacy Center, Navajo County Family Advocacy Center, Northern Arizona Care and Services After Assault, Pima County Office of Children’s Council, Pima County Attorney’s Office, Pinal County Attorney Family Advocacy Center, Salt River Indian Community Family Advocacy Center, Scottsdale Family Advocacy Center, and Yavapai Family Advocacy Center.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report at least 1 in 7 children experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year. More than 1,700 children died in the United States in 2018 as a result of abuse or neglect.