Watching over children suspected of being abused May 5, 19:16 on May 5

The new coronavirus has made it difficult to watch over children who are suspected of being abused. There were 179 cases where parents refused to visit because of concerns about infection, experts said, `` In a difficult situation where the child's appearance is invisible, not just visit, but safety confirmation through support It is necessary to devise such as doing it. "

Last month, NHK conducted a questionnaire survey on the 23 wards of Tokyo to see if it affected the watching of children suspected of being abused due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection. I got an answer.

When asking if there was a case that was difficult to handle when grasping the situation of the child, 179 cases such as 18 wards answered “Yes” and parents refused to visit to confirm the situation I found out that

Specifically, he said, "I was refused an interview or visit because of concern about the infection," or "I do not want my husband working at home to be stimulated, so please refrain from visiting."

As a measure against such a situation, Edogawa Ward will start efforts to check the connection status with the target household by LINE video call, and Katsushika Ward shares information about children with the operator of the children's cafeteria.

New initiatives using LINE

Due to the effects of the new coronavirus, there are many cases in which visits or visits to families suspected of being abused are denied.

In Edogawa Ward, which has the second largest number of children in Tokyo, last month we opened our first child guidance center in Tokyo.

There are 780 children in the ward who need support and monitoring due to abuse and neglect, and the staff confirms the situation of the children by telephone for consultations and direct visits.

However, in response to calls to avoid contact with people due to the spread of infection, it was confirmed that there were 20 cases in which it was difficult to deal with the situation of children.

The activity log shows that when the children and parents were asked to visit, they were refused because of concerns about the infection. For example, a father who asked for an interview refused, saying, "I don't want to come into contact with people in this situation. I can't understand an interview or a home visit with common sense."

In addition, a mother from another family said, "I'm worried about corona infections and it's difficult to meet directly. I want to avoid going out as much as possible and having parcels in front of the door so I don't want to meet directly." I was told that.

Under these circumstances, Edogawa Ward plans to establish a new LINE account and make a video call with the parent's smartphone of the target household to start an initiative to check the situation while talking to the parent and child.

We plan to start this month, and staff members are practicing and making video calls.

Koji Kamikawa, the director of the Edogawa Children's Counseling Center, said, “Children who are suspected of being abused are at increased risk of being at home. Whether or not they can be visually checked for safety one by one. Even if I contact the company, I am often refused visits because I do not want to refrain from going out or contacting people. ”

In addition, he said that he is less likely to watch over his children when he goes out of school or goes out of school, saying, "It is difficult for a third party to detect the situation of abuse while he cannot go to school or a nursery school." I am.

He added, "I think it is necessary to check the status of your child through LINE video calls as one means to break the current situation."

Expert "a situation never experienced"

Regarding the fact that visits to families suspected of abuse due to the influence of the new coronavirus have been refused one after another, Futamihiko Kawasaki, director of the “Children's Rainbow Information Training Center” It is necessary to meet directly with children and parents to talk and check the situation, but under the present circumstances it is unavoidable that the reaction is rejected. It is a situation that I have never experienced in this situation. " I feel a sense of crisis.

Regarding the fact that the school is closed, “Children's counseling centers and local governments are worried about the situation of children during weekends and consecutive holidays, but now they are worried for a month or two. I have been informed by the school that there is a risk of abuse, but I am worried that the school is unable to see the children and that they are closed up at home. "

In addition, “Family at risk of abuse needs support from the beginning, but it is in a severe situation with further restrictions on behavior and anxiety about working. Not only the traditional idea of ​​safety confirmation, but also the basic approach , How to provide support, what are you having trouble with, and communication will lead to confirmation of your child's safety. "

If food support is needed, we propose a method of checking the situation while having lunch delivered to the children's cafeteria staff, and giving advice when the child is crying and having an opportunity to talk with parents. I am.