While homes have become a safe haven for many during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s been a place of fear for some children.

“We’ve definitely been worried about that over the last 6 weeks,” said Dr. Alicia Pekarsky, the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center co-medical director and an associate professor of pediatrics at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Pekarsky said they’ve seen about a 60 percent decrease in child abuse reports.

“Children are not going to see the people who usually make reports to Child Protective Services (CPS), so definitely teachers and also people in healthcare professions,” said Pekarsky.

Oneida County Child Advocacy Center Director Derrick O’Meara said they’ve had a 50 percent decline.

“When we typically see about a 20 percent decrease in reports to us at the child advocacy center in the summertime, we’re seeing that on steroids right now because the kids are so much more isolated,” said O’Meara.

“We know stress is one of the things that lead to significant child maltreatment, in particular physical abuse,” said Pekarsky. “Also, we’ve seen in the past when families or individuals are confined into a small space, there will be an increase in sexual abuse.”

Pekarsky expects to see a surge in cases once the pandemic is over.

For now, she said there are ways guardians can reduce tension such as maintaining a family schedule and giving yourself leeway as you take on new roles during this crisis.

They’re also asking the community to step in and speak out.

“Be very aware of our children in this situation because some children are at more risk right now,” said Derrick O’Meara. “If we see something that is not seeming to be okay with that child, we urge people to make the call.” 

The centers are open and fully operational, ready to help those in need.

The New York Child Abuse Hotline is 1-800-342-3720. For more tips and helpful links, go to https://www.upstate.edu/gch/services/care/.