With the societal shutdown due to COVID-19, San Bernardino County has seen calls to its child abuse hotline drop dramatically. Normally, that would be cause for celebration but during this shutdown, officials fear the worst. Reporter Heather Clisby has the details…
Ever since Governor Gavin Newsom issued the stay-at-home order March 19, state residents have faced imposed serious family bonding time. For some children, this can mean more concentrated time with an abuser and fewer witnesses to the abuse.
Marlene Hagen, director of San Bernardino County Children and Family Services, stated that the county’s child abuse hotline has seen a 50 percent decrease in calls since mid-March. Without the usual contact with those beyond immediate family, Hagen fears that child abuse is now being unreported.
The county believes this is because children are not having face-to-face contact with mandated child abuse reporters such as doctors, teachers and mental health counselors.
“Not to mention the fact that there’s limited contact right now with children having contact with extended relatives, friends and neighbors,” said Hagen. “So, anything our community members can do to check up on families—at a safe distance, of course—to insure their needs are being met could mean a great deal to insure a child’s well being.”
To report suspected child abuse, call 211 or the Child Abuse Hotline at 800-827-8724. Otherwise, urgent and potentially life-threatening emergencies should always be reported to 911.
