Child Safety Advocates: Stay Vigilant Despite Coronavirus

CONCORD, NH — Child abuse doesn't end because everyone has been ordered to stay home, in fact the Office of the Child Advocate says the problem may become even worse: economic insecurity, unemployment, confinement and other stresses can be triggers for child abuse.

"Limited access to medical and mental health supports and other stressors have been exponentially multiplied with parents out of work and schools closed,” said Moira O’Neill, Director of the Office of the Child Advocate.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Office of the Child Advocate says this month they need every New Hampshire resident to be especially vigilant. The office says they believe more children will be abused because of the COVID-19 pandemic response, but less people will be able to see or report it because of the 'Stay Home' order closing schools, businesses and keeping everyone indoors. “We need to be checking in with neighbors and making sure children are safe." O'Neill said.

Already, the Division for Children Youth and Families says they've seen the number of referrals and reports of abuse drop in half, and they're asking everyone to know the signs of abuse.

Knowing the signs of abuse

Know and Tell says the mental signs of child abuse include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Academic problems
• A withdrawn personality
• Difficulty sleeping
• Eating disorders
• Discomfort with physical touch

Experts say physical signs of abuse are also crucial for correctly identifying an abusive situation. Common physical signs of abuse include:

• Cuts, bruises, welts or swelling
• Sprains
• Difficulty walking or sitting
• Torn or bloody clothing
• Lack of nutrition or shelter
• Poor hygiene

How to report child abuse

The state says there is a variety of ways to report suspected child abuse including:

• DCYF Central Intake at (800) 894-5533 or (603) 271-6562
• New Hampshire’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (603) 225-5359,
• The Childhelp Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD.
• Knowandtell.org or (603) 864-0216

The Division for Children Youth and Families says in 2018 it received around 30,000 calls of suspected child abuse or child neglect.