KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Wednesday marked the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Missouri Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline is seeing a disturbing drop in calls.
Between March 11 and March 25, the Missouri Department of Social Services reported an approximately 50 percent drop in calls. Governor Mike Parson called it "truly alarming."
The Child Protection Center in Kansas City, Missouri, is reporting about a 50 percent drop in referrals. The center serves as a safe place for children to tell their stories whether they experienced abuse or witnessed violence or crime, preventing them from having to tell those traumatic stories over and over again.
"We think because nobody has eyes on children right now, that's why we're seeing calls are down," said Lisa Mizell. the president and CEO of Child Protection Center. "Ordinarily we get a lot of calls during the school year because kids are out in public. They're at school. They're at sporting events. They're at camps. They're doing things where people see them and they can pick up on the fact that they have been abused or they can disclose it to someone."
Mizell said anyone who might be worried about a child they know who lives outside their home should reach out to that child even through FaceTime as a way to see them and see that they are OK. She also said if you believe something is wrong, call the hotline at 1-800-392-3738.
"These children, if they are being abused, it's much like domestic violence," she said. "They're trapped in a house with their abuser and there is no way for them to make an outcry to call for help because that person is right there with them all the time."
Canceled fundraisers are another ripple effect of staying at home and social distancing. CPC is one of the latest to cancel an upcoming fundraiser.
Mizell said canceling 'Cook For Courage' will cost them about $200,000 out of their annual budget.
She is asking anyone who is able to give to consider donating at their website.
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