Officials Fear Local Child Abuse Cases Will Rise This Fall

Child Abuse
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DALLAS (1080 KRLD)- According to the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, weekly child abuse and neglect reports are down 43% since local stay-at-home orders were issued earlier this year.  But, officials add those numbers do not tell the entire story.

The DCAC says the drop can be attributed to the fact that children are not with their teachers, camp counselors and other trained/trusted reporters.  In other words, these young victims have nowhere to turn for help.  And, authorities worry there will be a spike in reported cases this fall, as the pandemic continues.

About 28,000 local cases of abuse or neglect are reported each year, and the DCAC reads every report.  The organization recently hosted its annual "Crimes Against Children Conference," and DCAC Chief Partner Relations Officer Matt Gilbert talked about this troubling issue with KRLD's Chris Sommer.According to the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, weekly child abuse and neglect reports are down 43% since local stay-at-home orders were issued earlier this year.  But, officials add those numbers do not tell the entire story.

The DCAC says the drop can be attributed to the fact that children are not with their teachers, camp counselors and other trained/trusted reporters.  In other words, these young victims have nowhere to turn for help.  And, authorities worry there will be a spike in reported cases this fall, as the pandemic continues.

About 28,000 local cases of abuse or neglect are reported each year, and the DCAC reads every report.  The organization recently hosted its annual "Crimes Against Children Conference," and DCAC Chief Partner Relations Officer Matt Gilbert talked about this troubling issue with KRLD's Chris Sommer.