Coronavirus Qld: Warning at-risk kids at mercy of abusers

The country’s leading not-for-profit child protection body is bracing for abuse cases to soar in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, warning Queensland is in the eye of the storm.

THE country’s leading not-for-profit child protection body is bracing for abuse cases to soar in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, warning Queensland is currently in the “eye of the storm”.

ACT For Kids CEO Neil Carrington told The Courier-Mail it wasn’t a matter of if but when the number of cases exploded across Australia because there were less eyes on kids with families stuck at home.

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Dr Carrington said the body was worried about what was going to happen when the “cyclone passed”.

“There’s no doubt there will be more cases,” he said.

“What they’re finding (other countries further along in the pandemic) is at the other end there’s been a 300 per cent increase in children at risk at the end of the crisis.

Act For Kids CEO Neil Carrington

“It’s almost like a pressure cooker if you like, the harm is escalating but the reporting is going down.”

Asked whether schools reopening would help, Dr Carrington said it wasn’t the body’s decision to make.

Child Safety Minister Di Farmer said the pandemic was presenting new challenges to child safety officers which they were rising to.

“Like other essential services they are using technology to stay connected to children we know, making direct contact through by phone and the internet,” she said.

“For families where technology access is a problem, we are making tailored home visits, observing COVID-19 distancing requirements.”

Child Safety Minister Di Farmer

The minister said schools were important for keeping an eye on children’s safety, with the department working closely with the Education Department and other agencies to support frontline workers.

“Everyone has a responsibility to help vulnerable children and people should not hesitate to call police on triple-0 if they believe a child is being harmed,” she said.

Dr Carrington said the body’s clinics across the country had noticed an increase in people needing help.

Anyone who requires help is urged to call 13FAMILY.