Since the April 2020 observation of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, there have been significant increases in both child abuse and sexual assault nationwide, something a number of officials see linked to the pandemic lockdown.

But the pandemic did not cause it, only exacerbated it. And unlike COVID-19, there is no vaccination for abuse or sexual assault. Instead, the answer and prevention rests with community-wide education and awareness of how abusers and predators operate.

In numerous child abuse cases, “the victim and abuser know each other,” explained Washington County Attorney John Gish. The result is often a long delay in reporting what often becomes long-term abuse.

In the case of children, delays can be months or years, he said, citing one case that was prosecuted 17 years later.

“It’s not like TV,” he said. “It does not get done in an hour.”

The average time for an investigation of an abuse charge is 90 days or more and a possible two to three years to go to trial and get a verdict.

Gish works with Deanna Hansen, a rural county services coordinator for the University of Iowa-based Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP). Hansen works primarily with Washington, Cedar and Iowa counties. Gish noted that most sexual assault cases, including rape, are under-reported.

Cases go unreported often because of the relationship between the victim and perpetrator and often because of financial or emotional dependency on the part of the victim. He added that very often alcohol and other drugs are a factor, especially when the assault is physical.

Hansen explained that with young children, the issue of credibility can arise, with claims that a touch was mistaken. As a result, children need to be taught about body safety, that there are good and bad touches, she said. Training involves descriptions of detailed acts, as well as bringing awareness of how a predator or abuser will operate to gain the trust and control of a victim.

The abuse “is all about power,” said Gish.

Public school teachers and other educators receive specialized training “about red flags in a child’s behavior that can signal abuse,” said Hansen, especially when there is not clear physical evidence. Equally important is that the longer it takes to be discovered, the more difficult ongoing abuse and assault is to deal with; it becomes a twisted sense of normality in some relationships.

Police personnel also have special training, not only to find evidence, but also to offer support to the victims impacted by trauma. In all cases, confidentiality is strictly observed.

Gish and Hansen were realistic that abuse cases will continue, however, community awareness as well as aiding the victims may significantly reduce incidents. Public forums, discussions programs and training of all types of caregivers (including for the elderly) also have had positive results.

“It’s doubtful it will ever really stop,” said Gish.

The important thing, right now, stressed both Gish and Hansen is that victims know where to get help, that there are resources available both through the country attorney’s office, 319-653-7746 and the RVAP. For local area 24/7 support through RVAP call 319-335-6000 or 1-800-228-1625.