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Flags at Capitol Complex placed to bring awareness to child abuse in Pennsylvania


March 30, 2021: Flags at Capitol Complex bringing awareness to child abuse in Pennsylvania
March 30, 2021: Flags at Capitol Complex bringing awareness to child abuse in Pennsylvania
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The pandemic continues to have an impact on children across the nation, with the biggest worry being unreported abuse.

According to state data, the number of abuse reports in Pennsylvania significantly dropped in 2020 when compared to 2019. The analysis found more than 400,000 fewer child welfare concerns reported and more than 200,000 fewer child abuse investigations occurred. Overall, there was a 22 percent reduction in abuse incidents being reported.

"We've become kind of numb to statistics and data," says Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance President and CEO Angela Liddle. "When you visually see 4,865 flags, you realize that's a lot of elementary school classrooms of kids. And when you see 51 killed, you realize that's an entire school bus full of children. And it's something that's preventable."

The nonprofit held its annual flag planting ceremony on Tuesday to raise awareness about child abuse. 25 board members and elected officials volunteered their time to plant a total of 4,865 blue flags around the Capitol Complex. Each blue flag represents a child who experienced abuse or neglect in Pennsylvania in 2019. In front of the Capitol Complex, there are more blue flags, accompanied by 51 black flags. Each black flags represents a child who has lost their life as a result of abuse or neglect.

"Each one of these flags is a child with a name," Liddle continues. "And each one of the black flags was a child who should've had a bright future ahead of them."

Liddle tells CBS 21 News there has been roughly a 19% decrease in the number of child abuse reports made in the second half of 2020, but officials are concerned. This doesn't mean child abuse is going away, officials warn it's not being reported with children at home, out of school and out of the public eye due to the pandemic.

"It's a misrepresentation so we can't be fooled by seeing lower numbers," Liddle explains. "We're going to see numbers spike up more and more as children are around mandated reporters as schools go back in session in person."

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As the pandemic continues to isolate children, the nonprofit continues to raise awareness.

"I we don't, who will?" Liddle says.

Anyone can report child abuse and it can be done anonymously. Find more information at PAFSA.org. You can also call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313 to report child abuse.



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