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The Daily Signal
Childhelp Hotline: 800-4-A-CHILD
Armstrong Williams
April 09, 2020
The coronavirus has brought our bustling nation, and life as we know
it, to a grinding halt. During a crisis, it is easy for us to forget
about the vulnerable as we “circle the wagons” and focus on our
day-to-day survival in this new normal. However, during times like
these, it is imperative to remember those of us who are vulnerable and
less fortunate.
Perhaps one of the most vulnerable groups is America’s children. As
families spend more time than ever together, it’s critically important
that families have reliable tools to assist and support their kids.
Children who may have already been struggling with depression, anxiety,
or sadness may now have those challenging feelings further compounded
by the isolation that comes as a result of mandated stay-at-home orders.
Statistics show that every year, millions of children across the United States are faced with some form of abuse at home.
As heartbreaking as this is, it is very likely that the abusive
treatment for many of those children, who are now spending more time
than ever with the very individuals abusing them, will increase to
alarming numbers.
That’s where an organization like Childhelp National Child Abuse
Hotline comes into play. According to Childhelp’s “Child Abuse
Statistics and Facts,” a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds
and “approximately 5 children die every day because of child abuse.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Childhelp has reported a 20%
increase in calls and has reported four to five times the number of
texts from abused children when compared with the same time last year.
Tragically, it is reasonable to assume that this uptick is just the
beginning of an alarming trend. These numbers are likely to increase
significantly as the stress of job and wage loss takes its toll.
As a result, people may not have enough money for basic things like
groceries and mortgage or rent payments. These stressors will act as
triggers that could exacerbate the level and frequency of child abuse.
Additionally, police departments who work in coordination with child
protective services are seeing numbers rise. To put it frankly,
children’s lives are at risk, and we must act now.
Children, and in some cases teenagers, are scared, stressed, and aren’t
sure what to do or who to look to for support and escape. Organizations
like Childhelp are available and offer safe avenues for children to be
able to communicate their abuse.
With the launch of its new text system, its data analytics showcases
that a significant percentage of children prefer to communicate via
text or online instead of calling. Those numbers are drastically up,
which elucidates the toll the coronavirus is taking on stressed adults
and how they’re taking that stress out on vulnerable children.
To make matters worse, the organization has had to suspend a number of
its essential services for child abuse victims across the country
because of government mandates to control the virus. As a result, many
children are left without any recourse, further putting their lives at
risk.
We must also consider that because children are home rather than
attending school, day care, and after-school activities, abuse that may
have once been noticed by concerned adults will now go unreported.
The free Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (800-4-A-CHILD) is
critical for the prevention and intervention for abused and neglected
children, particularly in times like these.
For children in abusive situations, it’s not a matter of months until
things get better. They need help now. This is why Congress must act
now to fund Childhelp so that its essential services can be made
available to the children in need all over the country.
Both domestic violence and suicide hotlines received much-needed
additional funding in the recent emergency bill passed by Congress,
which is a good thing. However, we cannot and must not forget about our
children.
As Congress prepares for additional stimulus packages, I urge the
leaders in both the House and Senate, Republican and Democratic, to
include funding for this necessary organization, so that it can
continue to serve our children.
This problem will only get worse if Childhelp is unable to reopen all
of its essential services or unable to expand to support the increased
need as a result of the coronavirus. We have taken care of our business
both small and large, and we are providing relief to millions of
American families.
It’s time that we remember the vulnerable children across America who
are crying in silence. They desperately need our help, perhaps more
than anyone else, during this time. Their silent tears must not go
unheard.
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