Reports of child abuse and neglect have dropped about 50% during the pandemic. While that may sound like good news, it actually means that child abuse is flying under the radar. Child abuse is most often reported by watchful adults like teachers, pediatricians and neighbors — and children have had significantly less contact with adults outside their immediate families in the last year.

Oakland Family Services President and CEO Jaimie Clayton appeared on Civic Center TV during Child Abuse Prevention Month to discuss child abuse during the pandemic. She emphasized the importance of supporting families before abuse or neglect occurs, which is a major goal of Oakland Family Services’ prevention, education and treatment programs.

“I don’t think any parent wakes up one day and says, ‘Today’s a great day to abuse my kid,’” Clayton said. “It’s what happens in between. It’s poverty, it’s intergenerational foster care issues, it’s a history of abuse, it’s a lack of parent training and support. There’s so many factors that go into it, and if we’re not finding those families and helping them, we’re not helping the kid, and we’re not helping the parents.”

Clayton also discussed signs of child abuse and neglect to watch out for, including behavioral changes, odd clothing choices for the season, bruises that previously didn’t show, or signs of malnutrition or uncleanliness. Suspicions of abuse or neglect should be reported to Children’s Protective Services at (855) 444-3911.

Watch clips from the interview below, or click here to watch the full interview.

Why fewer child abuse and neglect calls is concerning

How Neighbors Can Watch Out for Children Who May Be Abused