Experts blame tough economy for rise in child abuse cases

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - Experts blame the tough economy for a recent spike in child abuse cases.

Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) has been in metro for 35 years. Jeanetta Issa who runs the nonprofit organization that works with child abuse victims said she has never seen the amount of children who need their help, then they do right now.

The number of children enrolled in counseling is up 40 percent than this time last year.

“With the financial crisis that has been going on, we are seeing a lot more clients here at CAPA,” said Issa.

She says they’re trying to help as many families as possible but they have a waiting list due to the amount of cases in the area.

One local family has seen the result of the recent child abuse spike first hand. Andrea and Michael Gibbons from Independence, Missouri, started fostering children five years ago. In just five years they’ve brought 20 children into their home.

“Its mind boggling to know some kid is hiding in the closet or whatever to escape the abuse,” Andrea Gibbons said.

Because they continue to see the need, they say they will continue to foster children.

“It’ll be like a little piece of heaven on earth to me to know that they will be loved,” Michael Gibbons said.

While the economy is taking a toll on these children, it’s also hurting groups like CAPA. They had to cut their budget by 20 percent. So they are trying to figure out how to get help to all the children who need it.