More Child Abuse Reported

As more people speak up about potential crimes against children, Missouri state’s child abuse and neglect hotline is receiving more calls. The state’s child advocate, Kelly Schultz, believes that’s a positive sign. Calls have steadily increased from 2008 to 2011, according to data collected by the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) and other state divisions as of June 2012. But the reports of substantiated cases in 2011 where enough evidence were found, are lower than 2007. What that means, according to Schultz, is that more people are willing to report suspected child abuse, but actual cases have dropped. In the latest federal data– children dying from abuse was at a five-year low last year. It dropped nearly six percent from 2011 to 2007. Schultz believes breaking the silence was key. “I think awareness is a huge part of it, talking about it in the general public as part of a daily discussion is important for a lot of reasons, said Schultz.” She added that she’s often asked what advice she could give parents, she said, the number one tip she would give to parents is to trust their guts. Often times people look back and sensed that something was odd but they don’t report it, said Schultz, if you feel that something is wrong, report it and let children services conduct an investigation to find out it something really is wrong. To report something, use the Missouri’s statewide child abuse and neglect toll-free 24-hour hotline, (800) 392-3738. You may remain anonymous if you are not a mandated reporter in certain professions.