Reporting Abuse

The law requires any person who believes a child is being abused, neglected or exploited to report the circumstances to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services Abuse Hotline. A person making a report is immune from civil and criminal liability, and the name of the person making the report is kept confidential. Any person suspecting abuse and mot reporting it can be held liable for a Class B Misdemeanor.

Time frames for investigating reports are based on severity of allegations.

Child Protective Services staff considers the following factors in determing whether the situation involves substantial risk of harm to a child:

- Extent and severity of injury.
- Location of the injury.
- The child's age.
- The child's physical condition, psychological state, and level of maturity and development.
- The child's capacity for self protection.
- Frequency and duration of the same behavior or similar incidents.
- Previous history of abuse or neglect.
- How injury occurred or was inflicted.

When in doubt, call the Texas Abuse Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll free 1-800-252-5400.

To get involved, call Family Outreach at (979) 821-2273.