Signs & Symptoms of Abuse
To report suspected child abuse in Texas, call or file a report online with the Texas Abuse Hotline.
Call hotline
Report online
What is Child Abuse?
There are several different types of child abuse.
Physical Abuse
Physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child, or the genuine threat of substantial harm from physical injury to the child, including an injury that is at variance with the history or explanation given.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual conduct harmful to a child’s mental, emotional or physical welfare, including conduct that constitutes the offense of indecency with a child, sexual assault, or aggravated sexual assault.
Neglect
The leaving of a child in a situation where the child would be exposed to a substantial risk of physical or mental harm, without arranging for necessary care for the child, and the demonstration of an intent not to return by a parent or guardian of the child.
Emotional Abuse
Inflicting mental or emotional injury to a child, and/or causing or permitting the child to be in a situation in which the child sustains a mental or emotional injury that results in an observable and material impairment in the child’s growth, development, or psychological functioning.
Signs & Symptoms of Abuse
Sometimes the child may show no physicals signs at all, so it’s important to note changes in behavior or routine. These are some of the most telling signs to look for.
Alterations in emotional behavior
Difficulty sleeping or changes in sleeping patterns
Mysterious or unexplained injuries
Reverting to less mature behavior
Changes in eating patterns
Fear of going home/seeing a particular person
Changes in performance at school
Inappropriate sexual behaviors
Lack of personal hygiene
Presence of or increase in risky behavior
Information to Provide
All reports are confidential. When you call the child abuse hotline, you will be asked to provide any information you have, including:
The child’s name, location, parents’ names and number of siblings (if any)
The alleged perpetrator’s relationship to the child
Brief description of the situation
Any injuries, medical or behavioral problems
For emergency situations, always call 911.