There has been a surge in domestic child abuse during the coronavirus pandemic, as per the data revealed by a recently published study in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood. The report is based on the experience of a specialist UK children’s hospital. 

Indicating a “silent pandemic”  the authors say that the number of domestic abuse cases rose by  1493% compared with the same period in the last three years. The report juxtaposed the numbers of new head injury cases caused by physical abuse among very young children seen between 23 March and 23 April this year and the same period in 2017, 2018, and 2019, reports ANI. 

As per their findings, the cases were reported from families that suffered severe social and economic deprivation. The authors identified a complex connection between abuse, mental health, substance misuse, and socioeconomic factors.

“Our cohort is aligned to the literature in its portrayal of socioeconomic deprivation and parental vulnerability as significant risk factors for abuse, both of which may be exacerbated as a result of the stresses imposed by quarantine measures,” the report read. 

The fact that lockdown period disconnected the reporting bodies from the children might have aggravated the problem, they suggest. What is even alarming is the fact that the numbers could be much higher if the case series of other hospitals are included. 

The study echoes the reports coming out of countries enforcing similar measures to the UK during this pandemic, note the authors.