DA Rachael Rollins Statement Regarding Decrease in Child Abuse Referrals Amid COVID-19 Crisis
BOSTON, May 20, 2020 — “The Suffolk District Attorney’s Office assists thousands of victims every year by providing advocacy, case management, referrals to resources, and support to navigate the criminal justice system. No victims are more vulnerable than children. And during this pandemic, with social distancing, sheltering at home, and no schools in session there may be an increase in victimization due to increased physical isolation and lack of interaction with mandated reporters who could notice indicators of abuse.
“Restrictions on daily life can be even more isolating and dangerous for victims of abuse, especially those for whom the only place to go is a household shared with the person responsible for the harm. Social interaction is often a lifeline; work and school are often temporary respites from abuse and trauma and classrooms are places where children find caring adults to whom they can disclose safely and those adults are also mandated reporters for abuse and neglect.
“There has been a significant decline in reports of child abuse to our office and this is raising concerns. From Mid-March through Mid-May this year we have received 234 child abuse referrals, which is a 39 percent drop from the 386 received in the same period of 2019. Just as concerning is in the same time period the number of cypertips, or online crimes against children, almost doubled to 31 in 2020 from the same period in 2019.
“In this time, many people are dealing with heightened job insecurity, housing insecurity and food insecurity, all of which can be accelerants for violence and abuse.
“We are taking several steps to counter this distressing trend:
Conducting the first all-remote multidisciplinary Tele-Forensic Interview with a young survivor of sexual abuse in early April and since then, conducting approximately 29 more.
Collaborating with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County to create a community safety net guide (#CommunitySafetyNet) to learn how to protect and support children at risk.
Informing the community by social media, our resources on our website, and flyers at food distribution and other volunteer sites that we are open and available to help.
Maintaining consistent communication with victims to identify community resources they can access.
Promoting best practices for internet use by youth. The present risks that exist with various apps, social media and gaming should be discussed with children regularly, especially at this time in our lives. Our STOP BLOCK TALK program has simple and memorable ways for students to navigate the risks associated with these platforms.”
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.