#parent | #kids | Rep. Blunt Rochester Calls For Increased Focus on Child Abuse Du | #childabuse | #children | #kids

WASHINGTON– Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester wrote to the Department of Health and Social Services to ask for increased funding and focus on child abuse prevention services during the global pandemic.

Rep. Blunt Rochester wrote in the letter addressed to Secretary Alex Azar, “Child Abuse Hotlines across the country have seen significant decreases in the amount of calls they have been receiving. In Delaware, annual calls into the child abuse hotline typically reach above 21,000 calls. Following the closure of schools — one of the top three reporters of child abuse — a steep decline in reports occurred.” 

The full letter from the democrat asked for more funding to help support Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Discretionary Funds Program, the Community-Based Child Abuse Program Grants, and funds for research to determine how to better protect children in digital environment.

Rep. Blunt Rochester wrote, “More specifically, Delaware has seen a 60% reduction in reports in April alone. That is only a point-in-time comparison, but it tracks with larger trends we have seen across the country. Reports in Arizona have seen, on average, an over 25% decrease in calls. And in Montana, the number of calls to the hotline have decreased by 45%.”