Less Child Abuse reported

But do the numbers tell the whole story?

Around 45 hundred.

Minnesota kids won't be going back to the classroom the rest of the academic year... and we're learning home isn't always a happy place for some children.

For some it means spending more time with their abusers?

And less time with the people keeping an eye out for child abuse.

Kimt news 3's annalise johnson is taking a look at a decrease in child abuse reports?

And why that isn't necessarily a good thing.

She joins us live.

Annalise?

George?

Roughly 80% of child maltreatment reports received by the minnesota department of human services come from mandatory reporters?

Like teachers and doctors.

Schools like sunset terrace elementary school in rochester are closed and many hospitals have paused elective care?

So children are not seeing many of those mandatory reporters anymore.

Since minnesota schools closed in march?

There have been on average 45% less child maltreatment reports each week.

That number is dropping in olmsted county too.

But the decrease in reports doesn't mean less maltreatment is happening?

It means other adults aren't around to see it and file a report.xxx i think the most important message for the community is to check in with their family, friends, neighbors, in a way that's safe.

People are dealing with a lot of added stressors and its just really important to support each other right now the pandemic is creating stressful conditions for families.

The state department of human services tells me social isolation?

Unemployment?

And other economic stressors are all risks generally associated with increased rates of child maltreatment.

Live in rochester annalise johnson kimt news 3.

Thank you annalise.

If you suspect a child is being abused?

Your local county agency?

As well as the police are still here to help during the pandemic.

We'll have contact information on our website at kimt dot com.

Find this story under local news.