New research from the University of Illinois suggests child abuse is on the rise during the pandemic.

Kids have been cooped up for months, and Betsy Goulet says that’s a problem.

“We’re very, very anxious about what that means for their best interests,” she said with a gasp. When they come back to school, “what kind of condition will they be in?” Summer typically means a drop in hotline calls, “but this is noticeably different.”

Goulet, coordinator of Child Advocacy Studies and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Illinois Springfield, is co-author of a coronavirus policy spotlight, “Children at Risk.” The report is part of the work of a task force through the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs.

Goulet is also a former social worker who trains the social workers of the future.

April’s call volume to the child abuse hotline was less than half — 47 percent — of that of April 2019.

With teachers – possibly the most frequent mandated reporters – out of children’s lives for a few months, Goulet says it’s up to others to keep an eye out for possible abuse – maybe the person bringing food to the house, or a delivery person.

Sometimes, Goulet says, abuse happens because the parents are simply overwhelmed. She suggests if you see an obviously frazzled mom in the grocery store, calmly offer to lend a hand.

https://igpa.uillinois.edu/page/igpa-covid-19-pandemic-task-force#section-0