Closure of schools have put children at risk from 'stressed abusers': UNICEF

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the closure of schools and movement restrictions around the world have "left some children stuck at home with increasingly stressed abusers". The UN agency said that a global survey showed that violence prevention and response services have been severely disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic which has put children at increased risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse. The agency said that out of the 136 countries that responded to UNICEF’s socio-economic impact survey of COVID-19, 104 countries reported a disruption in services related to violence against children. "Around two-thirds of countries reported that at least one service had been severely affected, including South Africa, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Pakistan," said the press release issued by UNICEF. The agency also said that countries from South Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia reported the highest proportion of disruptions in the availability of child services. The UNICEF said that many "vital violence prevention and response services" were suspended or interrupted as countries focused on adopting prevention and control measures to contain COVID-19. It said that the survey showed that more than half of the countries reported disruptions in case management, referral services, and home visits by child welfare and social workers to children and women at risk of abuse. 

"Violence prevention programs, children’s access to child welfare authorities, and national helpline services have also been affected in many countries," said the UNICEF regarding the survey. The UNICEF said that it was supporting governments and partner organizations to maintain and adapt critical prevention and response services for children affected by violence during COVID-19. “We are just beginning to fully understand the damage done to children because of their increased exposure to violence during pandemic lockdowns,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. Fore said that "subsequent impact on protection services and social workers" means children have nowhere to turn for help. Fore added that child protection systems were struggling before the pandemic and now coronavirus has made the "problem worse and tied the hands of those meant to protect those at risk". She urged governments to "enforce immediate and long-term measures that protect children from violence, including designating and investing in social service workers as essential, strengthening child helplines and making positive parenting resources available.”