PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A drastic decrease in child abuse cases this year has child advocacy groups in Pennsylvania concerned. Experts say it doesn't mean the abuse is happening less, but that it isn't being reported because children are more isolated due to the pandemic.
Now advocates are turning to children to help other children.
Pennsylvania middle and high school students already know about the Safe2Say Something program run by the state's Office of the Attorney General. The youth violence prevention model is now being used to help youth recognize signs of child abuse and the help that is available.
Leslie Slingsby is the executive director of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center based in East Norriton. The organization focuses on the safety and healing of child abuse victims.
"During the pandemic," she explained, "we actually went to the attorney general's office and said, 'You already trained all of our high school and middle school students across the state. Why don't we use this as a time if they feel unsafe or if they are worried about a friend, can they contact this line and you can help us help them?' And they said, 'Sure, let's do it.'"
Safe2Say Something has an app, a hotline, and a website. "There is a form that they could download on their computer and really report anything anonymously," said Slingsby.
With kids spending less time in schools, other people's homes, and in activities where knowledgeable adults could detect the possibility that something is wrong, Slingsby said an abused child's friend may know a lot about what going on their friends home than an adult mandated reporter these days.
"We are out there to help your friend," she said. "Please just let us know that there is a problem and we are happy to do something to help them."
