Reports of alleged child abuse and neglect began to drop significantly starting in March of this year once the spread of COVID-19 instigated a massive shut down of public spaces.

According to data obtained from the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, 714 total reports of alleged abuse and neglect were made in February of this year. In March, that number dropped to 504 total reports, in April it dropped even lower to 278 reports. In May there was a slight rise to 313 reports.  

“We’ve been tracking sort of month to month, week to week because we were really concerned about what happens as children are not in the faces of responsible adults,” Director of the Fairfax County Department of Family Services Michael Becketts said.

The Fairfax County Times interviewed DFS Director Becketts and Children, Youth and  Families Director Oriane Erickson regarding the decrease in reported cases of child abuse since Covid-19. Read the full article by clicking here.

The Fairfax County Child Protective Services hotline number can be reached at 703-324-7400.

Source:  Fairfax County Times