Experts in child sexual abuse prevention are predicting an increase in incidents over the coming months.

COVID-19 forced the closure of the Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch — a non-profit treatment centre near Edmonton for survivors of child sexual abuse. Staff members will continue therapies online and by phone for 25 children and teens who were staying at the facility, along with about 75 more families across Canada.

Millions of people are staying home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. However, for some, staying home causes an increased risk of danger.

Children are facing an increased risk of abuse and neglect, but more cases typically go unreported or unnoticed while schools are closed. Teachers are often the first to see signs of abuse, and they are required to report any suspected child maltreatment.

Since March 11, calls to Missouri's child abuse and neglect hotline have dropped by about half, from about 680 calls the week of March 12 to about 320 the following week.

"We don't have eyes on these kids and are worried that the higher stress in homes can lead to more abuse," said Mary Winter, board president of Capital City Court-Appointed Special Advocates, a local organization made up of volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in courtrooms.

The calls have dropped far more than they typically do when school is out for the summer, said Joy Oesterly, executive director of advocacy group Missouri KidsFirst.

The COVID-19 crisis has caused many stressors that could increase child abuse, such as people losing their jobs.

"Even kids that we would never be concerned about being in an abusive situation may be exposed to that just because of the extreme circumstances of COVID-19," Oesterly said.

https://penzu.com/public/0d7256c2

https://pastecode.xyz/view/96c59f30

https://pastecode.xyz/view/20db14b0

https://channel22news.com/death-cause-of-death-obituary-passed-away/