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Increasing supports for Tennessee parents urged to curb child maltreatment




At least one in seven children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year, and in 2019, 1,840 children died of maltreatment in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ADOBE STOCK

At least one in seven children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year, and in 2019, 1,840 children died of maltreatment in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ADOBE STOCK

Calls to the state’s child-abuse hotline declined by 15% in the past year, but experts said increased isolation and disrupted school schedules likely contributed to the dip in reporting.

According to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, from March 2020 through February, hotline staff received more than 100,000 calls about suspected abuse or neglect.

Kylie Burns, communications and policy specialist for the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, said research shows boosting economic support for families and increasing access to community resources such as childcare or parenting classes can help prevent child abuse.

She said the resources are needed more than ever given the unprecedented levels of stress and financial hardship families have faced during the pandemic.

“You know, making sure that we communicate what resources are available to families and get them the resources that they’re able to access now in a way that is simple and direct,” Burns said.

Call Tennessee’s Child Abuse Hotline to report child abuse or neglect at 877-237-0004.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also released its latest prevention resource guide, which highlights best practices, to address the root causes of child abuse and neglect. The guide is available at childwelfare.gov.

Burns said preventing child maltreatment is closely linked to children’s access to health care, quality education, nurturing relationships and other indicators of a healthy childhood.

She said one of every five children in Tennessee is living in poverty.

“We have children who are living in poverty or a low-income situation, and then that can lead to health indicators such as a low birth weight that can impact their education later on,” Burns said.

Communities also are critical to stopping abuse.

Advocates said the TEN-Four rule can help flag unusual bruising on kids. TEN-Four stands for bruises on the torso, ears and neck on any child 4 years old or younger or bruising anywhere on an infant who is not yet taking steps.

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