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info@responsiblehomeschooling.org
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The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
© 2013-2024
Stoughton, MA 02072
info@responsiblehomeschooling.org
media@responsiblehomeschooling.org
(617) 765-7096
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
© 2013-2024
Day of the homeschooled child
Homeschooled children are being abused and neglected
CN: mentions of child abuse, neglect, and death
Around 2 million children are being homeschooled in the U.S. Many homeschooled children come from families who want to give them a quality education in a safe, loving home.
But that’s not the case for every homeschooled child. Some homeschooled children grow up in families that exploit lax homeschool laws to isolate, neglect, and abuse them. Hidden away from any person or system that could help, these children are forced to deal with big problems all alone, like educational neglect, physical and mental health issues, and violence.
It’s not a good way to grow up. And sometimes, the neglect and abuse are so severe that homeschooled children don’t get to grow up at all.
This isn’t the part of homeschooling that most people want to talk about. But we do.
Why? Because talking about this problem is the first step to ending it.
And that’s why Day of the Homeschooled Child exists.
Join us April 30 and throughout Child Abuse Prevention Month in April as we shine a light on homeschooled children and show the world why it’s time to make homeschool safe.
Stats and insights
Because homeschooling is so deregulated, we can’t know exactly how many homeschooled children there are, let alone how many have been abused or neglected.
But there’s still a lot to learn from the data that is available. Through our Homeschooling’s Invisible Children (HIC) database, we’ve recorded over 400 cases of child abuse and neglect in homeschool settings. All of these cases came from public records, like media reports and court proceedings, and they give us a window into the world of abused homeschooled children.
Here’s what we’ve learned from these cases:
These findings are preliminary, and we’re still analyzing the database. But here’s what you should know: these aren’t just data points. These are real children harmed by abusive homeschooling, and their lives matter.
Our stories
On Day of the Homeschooled Child, we shine a light on the stories of homeschooled children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Their stories are difficult to hear. But by telling them, we honor their lives and show why it’s critical to make homeschool safe children.
Content note: HIC cases include descriptions of severe violence inflicted on children, including abuse and neglect, sexual violence, torture, and murder, as well as mentions of suicide and domestic violence. They also include photos of victims and perpetrators of violence.
RAYlee browning
Roman Lopez
Gregory Jean Jr.
Angel Dwyer
Take action
Throughout April and on Day of the Homeschooled Child, you can help shine a light on homeschooled children. Here’s how:
What is Day of the Homeschooled Child?
Day of the Homeschooled Child is an observance held every April 30 to recognize children harmed by lax homeschool laws across the U.S. Established by CRHE in 2023, the day’s date was selected to conclude National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Learn more about Day of the Homeschooled Child.
Our goal: make homeschool safe
Homeschooling can and should open doors for children — not put them in harm’s way. That’s why we at the Coalition for Responsible Home Education are fighting to make homeschool safe, 365 days a year.