Prevent Child Abuse IN

Since Shelter-in-Place took effect in the middle of March in Indiana, families have been huddled together in order to stay healthy and to slow the spread of COVID-19. Reports of child maltreatment typically come from youth serving entities…schools, camps, after school programs, etc. Those of us in the child welfare arena reached out to more non-traditional partners, such as store and Pharmacy staff, food delivery services, postal workers, neighbors, animal control, to please pay extra attention since they would be the ones still out and serving the community. Those of you reading this article, if you know you have service delivery in your neighborhood like ice cream truck drivers or postal workers, print out helpful materials for them, including the DCS hotline number (1-800-800-5556).

There could be planned activities for children or planned “date nights”, but it is just as important to find time for yourself. By eating right and having enough sleep, it will help your energy levels throughout the next day and help to ease stress. If you find yourself having a challenging time with your child, call a friend or family member to help you. If you cannot find the time to do yoga by yourself, there are many youth-friendly yoga videos that can be engaging for both you and your child.

With more stores limiting the number of individuals that can enter, and with many people still having to physically go to work, parents may be leaving children home alone more often than usual, especially with schools having to close. If your child doesn’t manage well when you’re home, most likely the situation will not improve when you’re away. When leaving a child at home ensure they know what to do in an emergency. Remind your child if someone calls, do not tell the individual they are home alone, it may be better if they do not answer the phone at all, even if it is a call to their own cell phone, teach them to not answer to unknown numbers.

Are you ordering online delivery, takeout from restaurants, delivery sites like Grubhub, interacting with your local pharmacist, grocery cashier and the like? Reporting child abuse and neglect is everyone’s responsibility and in times of crisis and economic instability, child abuse and neglect rates increase. Children are not going to school, activities, places of worship and other public places where adults look out for their safety and well-being. * Print and bring copies when picking up carryout from your favorite restaurant to include in all their carryout bags or email them a copy with your request.