It’s unfortunate to say, but reports of child abuse since the start of this pandemic have gone down (in some states, as much as a 60% decrease of reports). Now, some may think, “that’s great, child abuse is decreasing”. However, experts know this is not the case. It probably just means that child abuse is more hidden and these people that usually see the abuse and help kids – aren’t seeing it or hearing about it as often.
So – TeenCentral wants to help. We want to equip you with some ways to reach out yourself if you or someone you know is being hurt physically, sexually – or if you are being neglected in your home.
Is someone hurting you enough to give you cuts or bruises? Is someone touching you in places that make you feel uncomfortable? Are you in a living situation where you don’t have enough to eat, enough clothing, a safe and warm place to sleep? Are you left alone too much? These are just a few examples but hopefully you can get the idea…
Here are some safe places to turn for help:
- Your guidance counselors are still there! Reach out to your school- via email or Zoom in order to contact them. At some schools, you can even make an in-person appointment to talk directly with them face to face. Just because we don’t see them every day, doesn’t mean they have disappeared.
- Check in with your teachers. You may only see them during class or virtually but they are still a resource that can connect you to the help you may need. It’s one of the people you have (some sort of) contact with almost every day.
- Contact the Child Help USA National Hotline. This is a resource that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 170 different languages. If you are suffering from child abuse, this hotline can help. Simply call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit them online at childhelpusa.org.
- Every state in the US has their own reporting system for child abuse as well. With one quick Google search you can find a resource to report what is happening to you. Type into google, “Report Child Abuse {Enter your state here}”.
- You can also reach out to local County Child Welfare Office. This resource may look different depending on where you live, but you can find your county’s information quickly on Google. You’ll want to search “Child Welfare Resource Information {Enter your county here}”.
- Keep talking to us! Here at TeenCentral, we continue to be dedicated to hearing your stories and offering the best possible suggestions to help you HELP YOU.
- Remember- reaching out to anyone (any trusted adult or peer) is better than suffering alone in silence. There are people that want to help you. Your voice matters, we are here to listen.
Please don’t feel like you just have to suffer alone. You don’t.
There are also many hotlines available to you on the TeenCentral HELP tab. Read over them because one of them may apply to your situation perfectly – and they respond immediately to you.
TeenCentral wants to make sure you are completely safe in EVERY WAY during this pandemic. Please reach out.
