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WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN PREVENT CHILD ABUSE! More than 5,400 children were abused in Dallas County in 2007. Thirty one of those children died as a result of abuse or neglect — more than any other county in the state. Since its founding in 1992, the CAP Center has served over 30,000 children and adults. In 2007, the CAP Center served over 2,600 people at risk for child abuse and neglect. It is vital that the community become involved in child abuse prevention efforts by supporting programs like those of the CAP Center, which reduces the risk of abuse through its educational and family mentoring programs.
To report an emergency where a child’s life or safety is in eminent danger, call 911. To report abuse or neglect of a child or an elderly or disabled person, call 1-800-252-5400. If NOT an emergency, you may make a report by accessing this secure website through the Department of Family and Protective Services: https://www.txabusehotline.org.
WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE? The Texas Family Code 261.001 defines child abuse in the state of Texas. For the entire text of the law click here. The most important thing to remember is that if you suspect abuse, it is the law that you report it.
WHY REPORT? Reporting child abuse or neglect may seem to be a daunting task. Many people who have knowledge of or reason to suspect abuse or neglect are reluctant to make a report. Here are some of the reasons why:
It’s not my place to get involved in another family’s business: The State of Texas laws require that anyone who knows of or suspects that a child has been abused or neglected or is at risk of abuse or neglect must make a report to the Department of Family and Protective Services or to local law enforcement officials. There are criminal penalties for failure to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect. Keeping children safe in our community is everyone’s responsibility. Fear that the child will be removed from the family: In Dallas County, at least 17,000 reports are made per year of alleged child abuse and neglect. Most of these are investigated and closed with no further action. Some families are offered services by the Department, where the child remains with his family while they work together to keep the child safe in the home. Others are referred to community agencies, including the I’m afraid of retribution: The identity of all persons who make a good faith report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect is confidential by law. Persons making a good faith report are immune from any civil or criminal liability. Any person who reveals the identity of a reporter is subject to criminal and civil penalties. The Department will also accept anonymous reports, although reporters are encouraged to leave their names in case further information is needed. I’ll leave it to someone else to report it: Many people believe that an abusive situation must have already been reported to authorities and that they bear no responsibility for reporting. Yet, in most cases of serious child abuse or neglect, some of which result in a child fatality, there are people who know about the situation prior to the child being seriously injured or killed. These could be neighbors, extended family or friends. If someone had picked up the phone to make a report, a child’s life could have been saved and the child’s suffering could have been ended. Reasons for reporting: You could change a child’s life for the better. You might even save a life. Children who experience abuse and neglect can’t speak out for themselves to stop the maltreatment. They need your help to end the abuse.
IT'S THE LAW!!
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