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Reporting Child Abuse

Texas State Law requires that anyone "having cause to believe that a child's physical, mental health, or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect" MUST report immediately.  

Texas Family Code, Chapter 261.

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You can make a report by calling 1-800-252-5433 or make a report online at www.txabusehotline.org

If you feel that a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

Type of Child Abuse

Physical Abuse


Physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child, or the genuine threat of substantial harm from physical injury to the child, including an injury that is at variance with the history or explanation given and excluding an accident or reasonable discipline by a parent or guardian that does not expose the child to a substantial risk of harm. Physical abuse also includes failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent an action by another person that results in physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child.
Texas State Family Code, Section 261.001. 

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Neglect

 


The leaving of a child in a situation where the child would be exposed to a substantial risk of physical or mental harm, without arranging for necessary care for the child, and the demonstration of an intent not to return by a parent or guardian of the child.
Texas State Family Code, Section 261.001.

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Emotional Abuse


Inflicting mental or emotional injury to a child, and/or causing or permitting the child to be in a situation in which the child sustains a mental or emotional injury that results in an observable and material impairment in the child’s growth, development, or psychological functioning.
 Texas State Family Code, Section 261.001. 

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Sexual Abuse


Sexual conduct harmful to a child’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare, including conduct that constitutes the offense of indecency with a child, sexual assault, or aggravated sexual assault; failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent sexual conduct harmful to a child; compelling or encouraging the child to engage in sexual conduct; and causing, permitting, encouraging, engaging in, or allowing the photographing, filming or depicting of the child if the person knew or should have known that the resulting photograph, film, or depiction of the child is obscene or pornographic.
Texas State Family Code, Section 261.001. 

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