Since the start of the Killer Clown craze haunting more than 20 states- a supposedly funny figure for children has became an overnight nightmare. Childline reported having received 432 calls regarding the trend of people dressing up as killer clowns to scare passersby.
According to The Standard, there were 139 counseling sessions on the subject of killer clowns with the kids under the age of 11. Twenty-five percent of those children who participated in the conselling sessions were girls.
These statistic comes after reports of killer clowns scaring children such as an eleven year old girl chased by a clown holding an axe in Cumbria and a ten year old boy in Plymouth threatened by a clown carrying a hammer. The trend continues online with a with a thirteen year old girl who received message in instagram from a supposed killer clown who threatened to rape and kill her.
A Philadelphia school district said that police were investigating some threats emanating from these killer clowns using social media. These incidents have led schools to issue security statements.
There was a closedown of schools in Cincinati, Ohio on Friday after reports surfaced that a woman was attacked by a guy dressed as a killer clown. A woman was arrested for falsely reporting to the police that she was attacked by a clown early Saturday
This craze has even reached the White House with Press Secretary Josh Earnest commenting on the recent influx of these killer clown incidents after being asked by a reporter. "I don't know that the president has been briefed on this particular situation," he said. "Obviously, this is a situation that local law enforcement authorities take quite seriously and they should carefully and thoroughly review, you know, perceived threats to the safety of the community and they should do so prudently."
Jon Cameron, from the NSPCC, said regarding these killer clowns: "Young people should stay well away from them. And if they do happen to see a 'creepy clown' out on the streets or lurking near their school they should immediately tell their parents or the nearest responsible adult and report it to the police where necessary. If a child is worried they should contact Childline." Contact Childline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.