Fewer Calls to Child Abuse Hotlines Raises Red Flags

Children and parents being cooped up amid the uncertainty of a pandemic may raise tensions to dangerous levels. Joaquin Corbalan P/Shutterstock

Child abuse and neglect hotlines report a decline in calls in recent weeks. While normally good news, it doesn’t bode well during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, an expert said.

“Normally, a decrease in calls about alleged child abuse and neglect or maltreatment would be a welcome start to child abuse prevention month, but the context of current declines is worrisome,” said Melissa Jonson-Reid, professor of social work research at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.