Children’s advocates continue to remain concerned about a higher incidence of abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic, as children remain out of school in distance learning. SafeSpace Children’s Advocacy Center Beatriz Lynch says calls to Oregon’s Child Abuse Hotline went down 70 percent when schools were first closed by the pandemic last spring, and while calls have gone back up some it still doesn’t match where they were a few months ago. Lynch says it’s important that communities be vigilant for their children, and watch for signs of abuse. Oregon’s Child Abuse Hotline is 855-503-7233, while in Washington the statewide End Harm Line is 866-363-4276.