Children's Crisis Center reports rise in abuse and trauma cases

The Children's Crisis Center in the Czech Republic reports a rise in children seeking help due to physical abuse, cyber threats, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Clinical psychologist Zora Dušková noted that physical abuse has increased in both frequency and brutality since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first half of this year, the center provided outpatient care to 383 children and served 824 total users, including parents and guardians.

Sexual abuse remains the most frequent reason for intervention, accounting for 28 percent of cases, followed by dangerous family environments and physical abuse. The center's helpline received 2,635 crisis contacts, with hundreds of calls specifically addressing abuse, neglect, or self-harm risks. The center provides interdisciplinary care, prioritizing the child's immediate safety and psychological assessment while attempting to implement changes within the family unit to reduce risk.

Psychological experts explain that prolonged exposure to physical, mental, or sexual violence can lead to an unconscious splitting of the mind. If these fragmented parts are not integrated, it can result in dissociative identity disorder. This mechanism serves as a way for a child to cope with overwhelming or threatening stimuli by separating good experiences from traumatic ones.