In this post from UNICEF Australia's blog, UNICEF Australia Program Manager for Early Childhood Development, Alice Hall describes some of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children, including the child protection implications. "Closures to schools also puts children at risk of greater exposure to violence and sexual abuse. With most families staying at home, children have less, and in many cases no, access to outside contacts," says the blog post.
"UNICEF is working to improve access to child protection support for children, including supplying social workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) so that they can continue to provide support and care for children. We are also ensuring alternative care continues by providing children who can no longer be with their families with a safe place to go."