The reporting of child abuse or neglect might be on the rise in Missouri.

In 2009, total reports of child abuse or neglect were 51,896. In 2013, that number was 61,765, according to the Missouri Department of Social Services.

“I think there was a theory going around that when the economy’s not doing so hot, it increases all sorts of crimes, especially familial crime, where you have a lot of stress,” said Alison Dunning, former assistant prosecutor for Jackson County. “I think sometimes there are just really rotten people in the world.”

The state of Missouri offers a child abuse hotline, answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help detect and combat abuse. Several advocacy centers, such as Missouri KidsFirst, who “(believe) the safety and well-being of all children is the responsibility of every adult,” are reaching out to the community, to further educate and prevent child abuse.

Cheryl Rose, deputy chief of the Kansas City Police Department, said she believes “the biggest roadblock is detecting (child abuse) and getting abusers into programs to help them be better parents.”

Dunning said a major obstacle is a dilemma between reporting and accountability — parents are scared to report because they feel in turn, they might be reported on. She said the inherent imbalance of the court system often hinders the proper evaluation of cases as well.

“People have sympathy for the offender because they are the ones that are in there speaking up for themselves, you know, ‘Give me a break, I’m just trying, I’m working hard’ and the little kid can’t do that,” Dunning said. “And so it’s kind of an unfair system, it’s really a grown-up against a kid, no matter what we do. And so sometimes they just don’t get the sentences that they probably deserve.”

Dunning said if people call the hotline, even if they’re not sure of the situation, it will help expose and combat abuse.

Abuse is not limited to a certain socioeconomic class, or hindered by gender. Both men and women can be culprits for child abuse and characteristics of abusers varied from those with adequate living conditions, good mental health and/or stable marriages, to marital problems, alcohol or drug related problems and dangerous living conditions, according to the MDSS’ 2013 Annual Child Abuse and Neglect Report.

Rose said she believes “increased public awareness and offering parenting classes to people who are disenfranchised” will help reduce child abuse.