Concerns about domestic violence grew during the pandemic as the disruption of normal routines, social isolation, and job losses created stress in homes. But the impact of the pandemic on child abuse and neglect is unclear because many cases went unreported.
"When you look at our reporters, that’s our school system. That’s our counselors. That’s our soccer coaches. Those are the folks who have interaction with children and are all mandated reporters. And without those mandated reporters having contact with the children or someone outside of the family, it felt like it reduced the number of reports," said Tina Porras-Jones, executive vice president for Parents and Children Together.
According to the state Department of Human Services, reports made by educational personnel dropped 34% from 2019 to 2020 — from 726 to 479.
Now that students are going back to school, the number of reports of child abuse and neglect will likely increase. Anonymous reports can be made to the Child Welfare Services hotline at 808-832-5300.
PACT’s Program Director Sabrina Tran says community members should not hesitate to call.
"We always say if you’re unsure if it’s abuse or not, we just recommend that you do call the CWS hotline and they’ll assess what level of intervention is necessary. It could mean just a simple check-in with the family to see if everything (is) okay," Tran said.
Many cases of child abuse and neglect go unreported because there is no single definition for what counts as “abuse.”
Porras-Jones says this is especially difficult in Hawaiʻi because there are many cultures that use physical punishment as a standard method of discipline.
"We actually take the verbiage out of the statute and share it with them. And it really is their decision how they continue to parent moving forward, but they need to know this is breaking the law, or this is okay with the law," Porras-Jones told HPR.
Current Hawaiʻi law defines physical abuse and neglect as anything that leaves a mark on a child, or causes malnutrition or death.
If a child is withdrawing from friends and activities they used to enjoy, it could be a sign of psychological abuse.
Anonymous reports can be made to the Child Welfare Services hotline at 808-832-5300 or 808-380-3088 and from neighbor islands.
