Child abuse expected to increase, advocates warn

April 2, 2020 | Fox34

 

FOX34 Lubbock

"One of the things I'm hearing nationally, is increased rates of severe physical abuse...broken bones, just the frustration that's going on," pediatrician Dr. Patti Patterson said.
 
COVID-19 creating a perfect storm advocates fear that will lead to an increase in child abuse.
 
"Lubbock has one of the highest rates of child abuse and neglect in the state," Lubbock United Way Community Impact Director Devin McCain said. 
 
As a mom, with her kids and husband all together, knows the pressure put on families right now.
 
"I know how to manage stress or anger," she said. "But it still gets to the point where it's just overwhelming at times and you have to take a break and walk away."
 
McCain expects thing may get worse for victims.
 
Without teachers or others outside the home to keep an eye open, the abuse may go unnoticed.
 
"Now we have the additional worry of parents losing jobs, or hours being cut. They're just stuck in the home, and they can't go to the pool or the movie theaters," McCain explained.
 
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
 
United Way is continuing to raise awareness, despite event cancellations due to COVID-19.
 
"We encourage everyone to wear blue on Fridays throughout the month of April. Whether that's like a shirt that I'm wearing, our shirt for this year Or if it's blue fingernails. Anything silly you can think of"
 
When it comes to keeping tensions low in your own household:
 
"Really important to remain calm to find other activities for the for you and your children to do and also to really understand your own emotion, your own self," Dr. Patterson said.
 
"Dance breaks in our living rooms, we'll go for a quick walk around the park. Call and check on other friends, other parents, it's just a quick vent over the phone," McCain said.
 
Non-profits and victim advocate groups are still up and running. Below are some resources that are still available, despite the pandemic. 
 
United Way Lubbock
 
 
 
 
 
If in need of immediate assistance, please cal 9-1-1.