During the coronavirus pandemic when families are secluded at home, calls to report suspected child abuse and neglect have decreased significantly across the country, and by 57 percent in Illinois compared to the same time last year. According to the department:

• One in five children is abused or neglected before they turn 18;

• seventy percent of child abuse goes unreported; and

• Children tell an average of seven adults they are being mistreated before it is reported to authorities.

To ensure that children know that it is never okay for anyone to hurt or neglect them, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is launching the “You are Not Alone” campaign with the simple message: if someone is hurting you, we can help. DCFS is partnering with the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to distribute posters in English and Spanish to pediatrician’s offices and IDPH health care facilities across the state and place the poster at children’s eye level. Anyone concerned about the health or safety of a child should call the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (252-2873).