Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect Policy Council Training Kenna Pruitt Family & Community Partnerships Manager

In Texas, anyone who suspects that a child is being abused or neglected has a legal obligation to report it. Professional reporters are required to report suspicion of abuse or neglect within 48 hours. A Professional Reporter is anyone licensed or certified by the state or works for an agency or facility licensed or certified by the state and has contact with children as a result of their normal duties. By law, professionals may not delegate their duty to report to another person such as a coworker or family member. Professional reporters include, but are not limited to: Teachers Nurses Doctors Daycare employees Employees of a clinic or health care facility that provides reproductive services Juvenile probation, detention or correctional officers It is the responsibility of professionals to report and the responsibility of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate allegations or suspicions of abuse or neglect.

SPCAA Reporting CA/N Policy Staff must report suspected abuse within 48 hours. Staff can call (800) or the Secure Reporting Website: The Family & Community Partnerships Manager serves as the designee for matters involving child abuse/neglect and is a primary contact for requests for information for CPS cases. The only person staff are asked to notify about the report is the FCP Manager

Types of Abuse Physical is a physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child, such as bruises, fractures, or death. It also can include a genuine threat of harm even if there is no visible injury. Sexual is sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare. This includes fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or producing pornography. Emotional is an action that results in a marked impact on a child's growth, development, or psychological functioning. Emotional abuse includes extreme forms of punishment such as confining a child in a dark closet, habitual scapegoating, or belittling to the point that it results in noticeable effects on the child's daily functioning.

Types of Neglect Neglectful supervision means placing a child in a situation that requires judgment or actions beyond what the child is physically or mentally capable of doing and that results in bodily injury or a substantial risk of immediate harm to a child. Medical neglect is failing to get or follow up with medical care for a child when the lack of care results in physical injury or in a marked impact on a child's growth, development, or functioning. Physical neglect is the failure to provide a child with food, clothing, or shelter necessary to sustain the life or health of the child. Physical neglect can include a situation where the home environment presents a health or safety threat to children. Abandonment and refusal to accept parental responsibility are two other categories of neglect. Failing to protect a child from any situation described above also falls under the definitions of abuse and neglect.

In Texas More than 4 children die from child abuse or neglect on average every week, 176 children are confirmed victims every day, and 7 children are abused or neglected every hour.

In Texas Person Reporting Abuse/Neglect: School Professionals: 17.6% Medical Professionals: 16.9% Law Enforcement: 16% Relatives: 11.7%

Texas Leads the nation in child abuse fatalities 212 children died due to Child Abuse and Neglect in 2012 Child abuse fatalities increased 122% from 1997 to 2012.

In Texas Age groups of Confirmed Victims: 15.2% are Under % are 1-3 Years 21.0% are 4-6 Years 15.4% are 7-9 Years 12.1% are Years 13.0% are Years

In Texas Type of Abuse: Neglectful Supervision (66%) Physical abuse (15.9%) Sexual Abuse (8.0%) Physical Neglect (6.3%) Emotional Abuse (.6%)