In honor of National Child Abuse Awareness Month, Crime Stoppers of Houston through it’s Safe Community Program has focused its April outreach efforts to educate the community at large about the signs, symptoms and realities of child abuse. Throughout this month, the organization has been working with other local experts to encourage Houstonians to learn more about child abuse and ways to help prevent it.
Child abuse is any act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.
Child Abuse: Did you know?
- In 2020, 13.5% of child abuse/neglect fatalities, CPS was involved with family or the child at time of death and 47.4% of child abuse/neglect fatalities, CPS had been involved with the child or perpetrator in the past. (DFPS, 2020 Annual Report)
- Out of the 251 confirmed Child Abuse Fatalities in 2020, 47.4% of them, Child Protective Services (CPS) had been involved with the child or the perpetrator in the past, 13.5 percent of the child abuse and neglect fatalities, CPS was involved with the family or the child at the time of the death. (DFPS, 2020 Annual Report)
- In 2020, 61 percent of child fatalities involved a parent/caregiver who reported active mental health concerns. This is a 51.5% increase from 2016 of parents/caregivers who reported active mental health concerns at the time of child fatalities. (DFPS, 2020 Annual Report)
- 10% of children will endure sexual abuse before the age of 18 and there are approximately 42 million adult survivors of child sexual abuse living in the U.S. alone. (Darkness 2 light)
Houstonians have an opportunity to join these important prevention efforts: Crime Stoppers of Houston in partnership with the Children’s Assessment Center of Houston will host an in-person seminar called Darkness to Light: Commercial Sexual Exploitation on tomorrow, April 28, 2022 at 11:30am CST at the Crime Stoppers Building.
- This seminar is free to attend.
- Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-seminar-darkness-to-light-commercial-sexual-exploitation-tickets-297364093007
- Child sex trafficking, also known as the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), is any sexual activity involving a child for which something of value is given or promised. Building on the education provided in Stewards of Children®, Darkness to Light’s evidence-based training on preventing, recognizing, and reacting responsibly to child sexual abuse, this seminar teaches you about the root cause of commercial sexual exploitation and why preventing sexual abuse is important to reducing the risk of children being sexually trafficked.
Raising awareness about child abuse is critical to the protection of our children. Here are other ways to get involved:
- Educate yourself – recognize the forms of abuse and ways to protect your children. Download free child abuse safety awareness tips available in English and Spanish at https://crime-stoppers.org/child-abuse/.
- Report Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect –
- Always call 911 if child in in immediate danger.
- Texas law requires that any person suspecting that a child has been abused or neglected must immediately make a report to 1-800-252-5400.
- If you would like to remain anonymous, please contact the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
- Schedule a free Crime Stoppers presentation on child abuse for your community – click here.
- Spread the Word – Follow relevant organizations, including Crime Stoppers of Houston, on social media and share the awareness resources in your community.
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