Child Maltreatment and Child Protection in the Time of COVID-19

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Jill Duerr Berrick uses a diverse range of data sources to examine the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on family dynamics and trends in child maltreatment and protection in the United States. While there was a sharp decline in official reports of child abuse and neglect during the height of the pandemic's lockdowns and social restrictions, hospital admissions for injuries to children from suspected maltreatment and abuse increased. Relying on official reports of abuse and neglect does not accurately reflect the experiences of the many children whose families were disrupted by the pandemic. Significantly, the implementation of remote learning meant teachers and other school personnel did not have the advantage of observing daily children's physical and mental condition. But self-reporting by parents and investigators shows heightened stress within families and an increased use of harsh parenting techniques. Berrick also explores the "toxic trio" of domestic violence, substance abuse, and evidence of diminished mental health. Berrick calls for comprehensive efforts to address child and family poverty by recognizing the urgent need to improve support systems for vulnerable populations, especially children in those families, during times of societal upheaval such as the COVID-19 pandemic.