Research roundup

This review, conducted in Canada, aimed to contribute to the understanding of the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to child maltreatment, and inform effective interventions in child welfare (McDowell et al, 2024).

During COVID-19 lockdowns, parents and caregivers faced challenges in receiving support from friends and family. Caregivers perceiving a diminished emotional or social support system may have been more prone to child abuse. For children, the inability to attend school or daycare meant they lacked supervision and were cut off from basic necessities, posing a specific risk factor for neglect.

The pandemic created additional challenges for families, including loss of income, and reduced social support, all of which were found to be associated with risk factors for child maltreatment. The likelihood of experiencing violence and abuse increased significantly for groups that were already vulnerable. The authors say, ‘During the pandemic, Reddit saw a 94% increase in posts related to children and adolescents experiencing maltreatment. Since March 2020, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network in the US has reported a surge of calls from minors experiencing maltreatment.’