April brings Child Abuse Prevention Month; COVID-19 brings new concerns

MOSES LAKE — Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families is promoting National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. In a press release, DCYF said its aim is to reinforce the role that everyone plays in ensuring that children, families and communities can thrive.

The Washington chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America will participate in the month-long awareness and impact campaign, titled “Everyone Can Make Great Childhoods Happen — Especially You, Especially Now!”

DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter said in the release, “April is a time to help people across the country understand that safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments are necessary to ensure that children grow up happy and healthy.”

Hunter added that families face a lot of uncertainty and stress amid the state’s response to COVID-19. While the physical health risks to children from the outbreak appear to be low, the risk for neglect and abuse to children in times of extreme stress and uncertainty is “quite high.”

School and workplace closings can increase stress for a parent at home. Loss of income, irregular child care, even food insecurity can create problems, especially when added to the isolation created with social distancing, the DCYF statement explained.

Mandated reporters of abuse, such as teachers, child care providers, physicians and counselors, are no longer able to report abuse with schools and offices closed.

While beneficial in preventing further spread of COVID-19, social distancing unintentionally runs counter to the science backing how connection and social ties garnered through daily interaction can help sustain a healthy mental state, according to the DCYF statement.

Debra Johnson, DCYF director of communications, said the agency is continuing to connect with families in need of support during this time.

“The agency is in consistent communication with providers and agency partners that support families to ensure that our services are made widely known and are still accessible,” Johnson said.

In addition to helping to spread awareness of CAP Month in April, Johnson said community members can continue to direct families in need of support to services available. Johnson said the agency is currently working to develop reporting indicators to identify if there may be a spike in severe abuse cases amid COVID-19 concerns.

“Intake calls have declined, but the agency is aware of other states reporting spikes in severe child maltreatment, including deaths and near-deaths, that are thought to be related to increased stress in families due to the pandemic, economic fallout, and perhaps school closures,” Johnson said.

DCYF offered a few ways to help support CAP Month and raise awareness, including wearing blue on April 3, Wear Blue Day. The DCYF also recommended reviewing ways one can prevent child abuse themselves, remain vigilant of threats, or signs, of abuse, and keep the local intake number on hand to report.

For more info on getting involved in helping raise awareness or to support CAP Month, visit Prevent Child Abuse America’s website at www.preventchildabuse.org/yesyou.