Child Abuse including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect impacts children and youth in our communities every day. Locally, the Department of Family and Protective Services reported 363 confirmed cases of child abuse in Hays County in 2022 (Locally, DFPS reported 119 confirmed cases of child abuse in Caldwell County in 2022).

As a community everyone plays a role in ensuring children who experience abuse can be safe.   

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Adults can help professionals respond to child abuse by knowing the signs of abuse and by making appropriate reports when child abuse is known or suspected. Signs of abuse include unexplained injuries, fear of certain places or people, changes in eating, sleeping, school performance and attendance, inappropriate sexual behaviors, and regressive behaviors. When abuse is known, or suspected reports can be made to DFPS by calling 1-800-252-5400 or online at www.txabusehotline.org. All reports made in good faith are confidential. 

 After reports are made, DFPS and/or Law Enforcement may open an investigation; they are the appropriate agencies to investigate allegations of child abuse. DFPS and Law Enforcement are part of a multidisciplinary team that includes local child advocacy centers such as Roxanne’s House, CASA and the local DA’s office. Each of these agencies plays an important role when child abuse occurs, and they could not do their work without community awareness of child abuse.  

Children and youth are the most vulnerable in our communities. Adults can support children and youth in their lives by reporting abuse when appropriate and opening the door for professionals to initiate the investigative healing process.   

After reports are made, DFPS and/or Law Enforcement may open an investigation; they are the appropriate agencies to investigate allegations of child abuse. DFPS and Law Enforcement are part of a multidisciplinary team that includes local child advocacy centers such as Roxanne’s House, CASA and the local DA’s office. Each of these agencies plays an important role when child abuse occurs, and they could not do their work without community awareness of child abuse.  

Children and youth are the most vulnerable in our communities. Adults can support children and youth in their lives by reporting abuse when appropriate and opening the door for professionals to initiate the investigative healing process.   

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Author

  • Ashley Rios

    Ashley Rios, LCSW has been with HCWC since June 2008. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and Master of Social Work degree from Texas State University. She was a children’s counselor at Roxanne’ House and provided services to child victims of abuse which included play therapy and trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Now, as the Roxanne’s House Program Director she offers support to the Roxanne’s House staff as well as builds relationships with community agencies to support victims of child abuse. She is Bilingual in Spanish and English and also provides supervision to BSW and MSW interns at Roxanne’s House.

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