By: Diane Benjamin
The County Board Justice Committee meets tomorrow. https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6792
The agenda report is packed with information, below are just snippets.
Here’s a stat that I can make sound really scary – watch the media, this is what they do.
During the second quarter of 2020 (April-May-June) Juvenile cases of Abuse and Neglect were up 25%. Throwing out percents without real numbers can make actual appear worse than it is, that doesn’t make any cases less than tragic.
I’ve seen stories asking what the shutdown and on-line education is doing to kids and their families. The actual increase in these court cases was 12. Year to date cases are up 27.
Link to 2019 report: https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6792
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Deaths year to date are up 21 – see PDF page 126. One suicide was reported, 11 other deaths were accidental. PDF page 126
And the teachers/teachers’ unions, administrators and Democrats want to keep kids OUT OF SCHOOL this coming school year?
For every action there is an equal reaction.
Pretending to keep the “kids safe” which ultimately results in more abuse, neglect, and the deaths of many of our children is an INSANE idea.
Kids are only in school 6-7 hrs for 174 days a year. I do not accept that kids are in more danger of abuse just because they aren’t at school. This is the kind of rhetoric we here during teacher strikes. Sorry not playing.
On that limited basis, your position makes sense, but there’s more to it than that.
Probably the biggest factor is that the #1 place that abuse is noticed by a caring adult and reported so appropriate measures can be taken is school. Without that reporting, abuse that would otherwise be stopped continues.
Also relevant are the circumstances of that ‘less time at school’ –
Many parents are stressed out about losing their jobs or even businesses because of Pritzger’s Destroy Illinois plan. Those that aren’t are likely stressed about the potential loss, or under increased stress of figuring out what to do with the kids all day. Many parents prone to abuse do not have the temperament or skills to help their kids with their online homework, which adds even more stress. All these stressors increase the chance of parents abusing alcohol or other substances. All of these aspects increase the likelihood of abuse or neglect.
Many kids are stir crazy from being kept in more than usual; not seeing their friends; having ‘summer cancelled’ with most pools, programs, parks, etc closed in support of Pritzger’s Destroy Illinois plan. This combined with stress of an unusual and less effective schooling method makes kids more likely to engage in behaviors that trigger parents who are prone to abuse.
I agree with you that most parents find ways to cope and we’re unlikely to see kids dropping like flies, but some increase in the rate and severity of abuse is pretty much certain.