Child Abuse

If you even suspect that a child has been neglected or abused in any way, it is your legal and moral responsibility to report it to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.

The phone number to call is1-800-252-5400

Once you make the report of suspected abuse or neglect, your report is confidential and immune from criminal and civil liability as long as the report was made in good faith and without malice. In other words, as long as you did not lie in order to hurt someone, you are protected.

Let the authorities do their job. Don’t try to investigate or confront the abuser. You could put yourself in danger or cause another abuse incident for the victim.
Don’t walk around with blinders on.

The fact is, the abuser is often a family member. However, you still have a moral obligation to help the helpless. If you have concerns about the way that you behave toward your own child, you can call 1-800-554-2323 for help. Failure to provide your child with a safe environment, food, clothing, shelter, protection, medical care and supervision can be considered neglect.
On the subject of incest:

Incest is any sexual contact between a child (or teenager) and their parent or someone acting as their parent, such as a step-parent. Incest is illegal! Victims of incest often lie to protect their abuser because they fear more abuse, fear for their lives, or fear losing the only care provider they ever had. Victims sometimes also fear being thrust into the system more than their abuse.

Abusers have a distorted sense of acceptable ways to show affection. They are often emotionally immature and isolated. Many times, they believe they have done nothing wrong.

A child learns not to trust anyone when the person who is supposed to take care of them is the person abusing them. Many victims believe that the abuse is somehow their fault. Many believe that nothing will be done to help them and just hope that the abuse will eventually stop.

The aftermath of abuse stretches far beyond the abuse itself. It can cause victims to form a very negative opinion of themselves and they often have low self esteem. Victims may be fearful of being touched. They may think love is supposed to hurt. To make matters worse, studies show that children who grow up in abusive homes are more likely to end up in abusive relationships.

Incest, abuse, and neglect victims aren’t doomed to a life of misery, however. Many do get the psychological help they need and go on to live productive and happy lives. There are several programs that provide the help needed. Contact:

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
800 Brazos, Ste 810
Austin, TX 78701