"Hundreds of millions of children around the world will likely face increasing threats to their safety and wellbeing – including mistreatment, gender-based violence, exploitation, social exclusion and separation from caregivers – because of actions taken to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic," said UNICEF in this 20 March press release. "School closures and movement restrictions are disrupting children's routines and support systems. They are also adding new stressors on caregivers who may have to forgo work."
Furthermore, stigma surrounding the virus has made some children more vulnerable to violence and psychosocial distress. And "recent anecdotal evidence from China, for instance, points to a significant rise in cases of domestic violence against women and girls."
“Schools are closing. Parents are struggling to care for their children and make ends meet. The protection risks for children are mounting," said Cornelius Williams, UNICEF Chief of Child Protection.
The press release links to the Technical Note on the Protection of Children during the Coronavirus Pandemic by the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, which "provides governments and protection authorities with an outline of practical measures that can be taken to keep children safe during these uncertain times," says Williams.