BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A new report from the Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate has found that incidents of child abuse skyrocketed during the 2020 fiscal year.
The office reported a 110 percent increase in what it describes as "critical incidents" during the pandemic. Rates of physical abuse saw a surge-- along with attempts at suicide.
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Tammy Mello, Executive Director the Children's League of Massachusetts, said she is not surprised -- given the changes that occurred across the state and country during quarantine.
“Some of the protective factors -- like kids being seen in the community -- ended as all kids went remote and daycares closed," Mello said. "At the same time, you have parents who maybe lost their jobs, worried about paying rent prior to moratoriums on evictions, etc – and families being much more isolated."
Mello said it's not a good idea to police your neighbors, but checking in on families every now and then may help with prevention of further incidents.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@KarynRegal) reports:
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Written by Rachel Armany
(Photo: Getty Images)