COLUMBUS – While Ohio’s efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus appear to be making a positive impact, school closures and stay-at-home orders may be negative influences on more chronic social problems, such as child abuse and domestic violence.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and, while the state has seen approximately a 50-percent drop in child abuse and neglect cases since a stay-at-home order took effect on March 22, Gov. Mike DeWine says that is not because there is less abuse.
“Reports of child abuse are down. I think that we can fairly say that that’s not because child abuse is down. It is because we do not have enough eyes on these children,” DeWine said.
With the cancellation of school and activities, those who typically report suspicions of abuse – such as teachers, coaches, childcare providers, and school counselors and nurses – aren’t seeing children every day, DeWine said.
He urged everyone to report any suspected abuse or neglect by calling 855-OH-CHILD.
“When parents have support networks, resilience, and an understanding of their children’s behavior and needs, the result is a healthier and safer environment for children. It is important for families to learn and maintain strategies for nonphysical social connections and ways to cope with stress during these uncertain and challenging times,” said Lindsay Williams, executive director of the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund.
To manage the stress children and parents are under amid the pandemic, the agency — part of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services — recommends calling or video chatting with friends and loved ones to maintain vital social connections and supports, incorporating fun activities such as painting, yoga or dance into the at-home school day, or using everyday tasks as opportunities to learn and increase family connections.
Having children help prepare dinner can be both a math lesson and a fun time for the entire family, Williams said.
Meanwhile, there is growing concern about a potential increase in domestic violence as the isolation strains already troubled relationships.
Columbus recorded seven domestic violence-related homicides in 2019 but three domestic violence-related homicides were reported in the past three weeks, according to Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein.
A domestic violence hotline in Cincinnati has reportedly seen a 30 percent increase in calls since the self-isolation period began.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522.
House Democrats expressed concerns and called for swift legislative action on a number of bills aimed at reducing domestic abuse, including one that adds domestic violence circumstances to the offenses of aggravated murder and endangering children.
“The longer we stay in quarantine, the more reports we’re going to hear about domestic violence. If we’re in this together, we need to take meaningful action to pass commonsense measures to ensure stay-at-home means safe-at-home.” said Assistant Minority Leader Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus), who is sponsoring legislation to modernize Ohio’s rape laws.
Measures currently under consideration in the Statehouse would eliminate the statute of limitations on rape and do away with the legal exception for rape committed by a spous. A third would provide contraceptives to sexual assault victims.