The Children's Partnership

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵: 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗕𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲!

𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 - let’s remember the critical role everyone plays in safeguarding children in our community. It is crucial that everyone recognizes the signs of child abuse and knows how to report concerns of child abuse. Reporting child abuse and neglect isn’t just an option; it’s a moral obligation that can change lives.

𝟭. 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀
o Be Vigilant: Recognize the signs of child abuse —bruises, extreme behaviors, poor hygiene, unexplained injuries, sudden changes in school performance.
o Trust Your Instincts: If something feels wrong, act promptly. You might be the lifeline a child desperately needs.
𝟮. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲
o Child Neglect: Failure to provide basic needs (food, clothing, supervision).
o Emotional Abuse: Constant negativity, humiliation, and belittling.
o Physical Abuse: Harm or injury inflicted on a child.
o Sexual Abuse: Exposure or involvement in sexual situations.
o For more information, visit “Recognize the Signs of Child Abuse”: https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/Child_Safety/recognize_abuse.asp
𝟯. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
o Break the Silence: Reporting breaks the cycle of abuse.
o Legal Obligations: Mandated reporters (teachers, healthcare professionals) must report.
o Community Responsibility: We all play a part in protecting our children.
𝟰. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁
o Call the Hotline: For non-urgent requests, call the Texas Hotline for Child Protective Services at (800) 252-5400.
o Take Immediate Action: Don’t delay—every moment counts.
o Report online: For non-urgent situations, you can also report online: https://www.txabusehotline.org/
𝟱. 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱
o Share this post to raise awareness.
o Encourage others to learn about child abuse prevention.
o Share support resources with parents and caregivers in your life. Travis County Office of Children Services hosts a variety of programs to support children and families. Learn more about how they could help you or a loved one here: https://www.traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/children-and-youth

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲! Let’s be vigilant, Travis County, and stand up against child abuse.

www.txabusehotline.org