Texas Recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in the United States. Our state also recognizes the importance of preventing child abuse. Child abuse includes: unlawful physical abuse/injury, neglect, sexual abuse, exploitation, endangerment, and emotional maltreatment. Bringing awareness and promoting preventative actions can help prevent these acts, creating a safer and more secure society for our youth.
Nationally, there are over 3,000,000 suspected child abuse cases reported annually. Nearly 1 in 4 of those cases are confirmed. In Texas, there were around 198,000 reports of child abuse and nearly 65,000 confirmed cases of child abuse each year. Abuse affects children’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Many victims suffer from improper brain development which can result in a decline in academic performance and/or behavioral issues throughout their lives.
Texas agencies, like the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), have established partnerships with our communities and implemented programs to address child abuse. Many of these are community-based early intervention and prevention programs that establish after-school activities, parenting classes, mentoring programs, and more. Examples of these programs include the Community Youth Development, Texas Prevention Network, and Texas Families: Together and Safe. A list of these and several more programs, the contacts and availability in our area can be found at Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
To keep the preventative child abuse programs up-to-date, the Texas DFPS’ Office of Child Safety (OCS) analyzes all serious injuries or deaths caused by child abuse in Texas. They assess the root causes of child injuries and fatalities then create, update and implement prevention and intervention programs to address and reduce these crimes. The OCS continuously studies the in-state and national trends regarding serious injuries and fatalities, as well.
Other child abuse prevention education and training resources can be found at Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, Inc., Darkness to Light, Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, Prevent Child Abuse America, and Help for Parents. Hope for Kids.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672
