Child advocates brace for post-holiday spike in abuse reports

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Students across Tampa Bay head back to school next week following winter break. The CEO of Pasco Kids First, a child advocacy center, said it’s the time of year his team typically sees a spike in reported child abuse cases.

“Unfortunately, we’ve been really busy,” said president and CEO Mike Trepper. “So, we have children and families coming through, and that’s because things have happened to them on their person, meaning they’ve been physically or sexually assaulted or they have been witness to violence.”

Trepper said after cases of abuse, neglect, or trafficking get reported to the state hotline, they’re forwarded to law enforcement. From there, victims will be referred to agencies like Pasco Kids First, one of 26 child advocacy centers in Florida.

Trepper said there’s normally a 10% to a 20% increase in reports to review and children who need to be seen at the center in January. According to advocates, while the holidays can be a fun time for kids, they can also mean family stress and tensions rising to the surface.

“We’ve actually seen a lot more cases this year than we have before,” said Michelle Mejia, a case coordinator with the child protection team.

Trepper said the center handles more than 5,000 abuse and neglect cases every year. There are a number of reasons that could be behind the post-holiday spike.

“The economy, job situations, joblessness, perhaps food insecurity, and then you have the added stress of just the holiday season,” he said.

“The kids are out of school, and so some parents just may have that frustration. They may not be used to dealing with the kids for that long,” said Mejia.

According to Trepper, kids may then tell someone what happened once they get back to school, but there are also signs a child may be in trouble. They can include a change in behavior or language, being secretive, or marks on their bodies. He encouraged believing kids when they disclose and reporting suspected cases of abuse.

“I know sometimes it can be scary and you think, ‘I don’t want to get involved,’ but for the sake of children, get involved,” said Trepper.

As tough as her job can be, Mejia said there are signs of happy endings, too. T-shirts line the hallways of the center with messages from past clients to those just walking in the door. Mejia said she’s seen it, too, like when children come back for therapy appointments she’s scheduled for them.

“Granted, I don’t talk with them too much because I don’t want them to make that little connection, but I do see them happier and different from what I get to see when I interview them because they’re healing. So, it’s a different child that I’m seeing afterwards,” she said.

Child abuse can be reported to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. The Florida Department of Children and Families offers other reporting options on its website.