Addressing childhood adversity is crucial for post-COVID-19 recovery

Monday 2 November 2020

CHILDREN have been spared the worst of the COVID-19pandemic. They are at lower risk of becoming infected, symptomatic and transmitting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Yet the indirect impact of the public health response has led to rapid and major upheavals with substantial and pervasive consequences for children’s lives.

Children are experiencing a range of adversities as a result, including parents struggling with mental health problems and substance misuse, relationship breakdowns, financial stress, and an alarming increase in family violence. Calls to Kids Helpline have seen a 28% spike in demand in Victoria between March and July 2020. An additional 4500 Victorian children will potentially enter out-of-home care as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, burgeoning to a total of 27 500 children in out-of-home care by 2026.