HOW TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE
Are you reporting child abuse in Texas?
Are you reporting child abuse in a different state?
Has your child been referred to the Center?
HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS OF ABUSE
New Fears
New fears are common in abused children. Situations, places or people can cause a new fear and even cause the child to become shy, anxious or withdrawn.
Emotional Behaviors
As a protective parent, be aware of any emotional changes you may begin to see in your child that are outside the norm – whether it’s anger, frustration, shyness, etc.
Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors
A child experiences a range of sexual behaviors depending on age. Any behaviors that are unusual for the child’s age range may be a sign of abuse.
Sleeping Patterns
The inability to sleep, difficulties staying asleep and/or nightmares may develop due to the trauma caused by abuse.
Eating Habits
If abuse has occurred, a child may begin to show a disinterest in eating and a sudden loss of appetite or may cope by overeating.
Lack of Personal Hygiene
Lake of personal hygiene can be a sign of neglect, including obvious malnourishment, consistently dirty clothes, attachment disorders and more.
School Performance
Abuse may cause an inability for a child to concentrate, which can directly affect his/her school performance, grades and behavior.
Loss of Boundaries
A child or teen may be overly friendly and attached to total strangers, tolerate abuse from other children or become overly obedient.
Self-Destructive
A child or teen may feel guilt and shame from an abuse and begin hurting themselves, including hitting or cutting, drug and alcohol use or even a suicide attempt.
HOW TO STOP ABUSE FROM HAPPENING
HOW TO LEARN MORE
THE CENTER FOR CHILD PROTECTION OFFERS FREE TRAINING TO OUR COMMUNITY!
Child Abuse | Neglect Identification | Reporting | Investigation
These trainings provide professionals who work with children the essentials of identifying the signs and symptoms of abuse, what to do if a child discloses abuse, how and when to report abuse, and what happens during the investigation.
Stewards of Children
A sexual abuse prevention training program that educates professionals, parents and other adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. This revolutionary program is the only nationally available program scientifically proven to increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and change child-protective behaviors with regard to sexual abuse of children. This program is available in-person and online.
Child Sexual Abuse – What Every Adult Should Know
The purpose of this training is to help parents, professionals and other adults identify the behaviors and activities that perpetrators use to gain the trust of children and adults and to develop skills recognizing risks and responding appropriately.
Tools for Parents & Caregivers
Workshops are available in a variety of topics. If you don’t see a topic you are looking for just ask. Examples of available workshops include:
• Child Sexual Abuse – What Every Parent Should Know
• Your Children and the Internet
• Effective Discipline and Building Self Esteem
• Child Development for New Parents – Ages, Stages and Challenges of Each