How COVID-19 is Affecting Local Abused, Neglected, and At-Risk Children

The stay-at-home order is a good thing for most people.

Not only does it protect us from the coronavirus, but it also gives us an excuse to wear pajamas and abide by airport drinking rules.

But for local abused, neglected, or at-risk children, the stay-at-home order can mean that they are isolated with their abuser.

Realities For Children, a non-profit organization that provides for the unmet and ongoing support needs of these children, is working hard to ensure their safety, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Most of what we work with day in and day out in keeping our children safe is keeping them seen. A big part of what we try to do is avoid social isolation," said Craig Secher, president of Realities For Children, in our "Tuned In to NoCo" interview. "[Quarantine] really is putting many children at much higher risk because we don't have those eyes...to share with us if they're concerned about a child."

In fact, calls concerning child abuse have dropped by around 66% compared to this time last year. While this can sound like a good thing, it really means that at-risk children are not being seen as much.

To combat this invisibility, Secher is urging the public to be even more aware of how to help the children around them.

The best way to help if you are concerned about a child is to call the Colorado hotline at 1-844-CO-4-KIDS. Video chatting can also be a useful tool to see if a child is doing okay.

Realities for Children is also in need of specific items to help the children they serve who are currently being home-schooled. A list of these items, and how to donate them, can be found here.

"We're gonna come out of this. If we come together in these areas where anyone is in need of support...we show the community what we're made of," said Secher. "I'm faithful that with all of us working together we're going to come out of this stronger...[and] make sure no child is forgotten."

To learn more about Realities for Children and the effects of COVID-19 on at-risk children, listen to the full "Tuned In to NoCo" interview with Craig Secher below.