May 2020
May 1, 2020

These last few months have been an extremely challenging time, unlike anything we’ve seen or had to deal with in our lifetime. Our hearts go out to all the health care professionals and other essential service workers who are risking their lives every day to take care of us.
Stress is a contributing factor for abuse, particularly physical abuse. During the pandemic, adults are experiencing increased levels of stress, and are struggling more than ever to provide safe and stable home environments. During #stayhome, these children and youth are at increased risk as they are unable to receive support from safe adults they would typically interact with on a regular basis: teachers, after-school program leaders, medical and mental health professionals to name a few.
Across the country, the number of reports about concerns for the safety of children and youth have dropped significantly since #stayhome began. We believe this is because children and youth are not in school, or in after-school programs, or visiting professionals where they can talk to a safe adult who can help them. At the same time, reports of domestic violence are on the rise and children and youth in these homes are also victims of crime.
This video was produced by Snowflake Place Child and Youth Advocacy Centre for use by all organizations in the National CYAC network.
The pandemic has further strengthened our commitment to establishing York Region’s first Child & Youth Advocacy Centre. We need to ensure that once the abuse is reported, these children and youth get the best support possible, without further trauma.