April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

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Everyday, 187 Texas children experience abuse in some form. These experiences haunt these children for the rest of their lives. Whether one child or many, Child Abuse must be stopped. TALK ABOUT IT AND TAKE ACTION! www.texprotects.org

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There are different forms of abuse: Neglect Physical Abuse Emotional Abuse Sexual Abuse www.texprotects.org

Neglect : 

Neglect failure to provide necessary food or shelter lack of appropriate supervision failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs inattention to a child's emotional needs failure to provide psychological care permitting the child to use alcohol or other drugs www.texprotects.org

Physical Abuse : 

Physical Abuse punching throwing biting kicking beating stabbing shaking burning hitting choking www.texprotects.org

Emotional Abuse : 

Emotional Abuse Constant Criticism Threats Rejection Withholding Love Support Guidance www.texprotects.org

Sexual Abuse : 

Sexual Abuse Inappropriate touching Penetration Incest Rape Sodomy Indecent exposure Exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials www.texprotects.org

In Texas Last Year… : 

In Texas Last Year… 68,326 confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect 280 deaths last year due to child abuse

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Each week, 5 Texas children died from child abuse in 2009

To Report Abuse or Neglect: : 

To Report Abuse or Neglect: Call 1-800-252-5400 (or 911 if imminent danger) www.texprotects.org

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect : 

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect Believer:
 If a child discloses abuse to you, it is important to believe the child and seek support from professionals. www.texprotects.org

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect : 

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect Observer:
 Be aware of the physical signs of child abuse and neglect, behavior changes, and changes in relationships with peers www.texprotects.org

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect : 

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect Listener:
 Listen to what children are saying. They may speak directly to you or they may tell a friend there is something wrong in their lives. www.texprotects.org

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect : 

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect Reporter:
 On occasion, your observations of a child or parent may lead you to suspect child abuse. Don’t second guess, act! www.texprotects.org

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect : 

Model:
 Children need adult models who make them feel good about themselves. It is important for children to feel there are adults who consider them important. Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect www.texprotects.org

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect : 

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect Nurturer:
 Foster or Adopt a child that has been abused: By loving an abused child, you will be helping break the cycle of violence. www.dfps.state.tx/us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care www.texprotects.org

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect : 

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect Volunteer:
 There are many opportunities to help child abuse prevention programs and abused and neglected children through clothing drives, holiday gifts, sending letters to the newspapers, assisting in hospitals and more. Call TexProtects 214-442-1672 for more information. www.texprotects.org

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect : 

Your Role Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect Advocate:
 Child abuse prevention is a community issue. Seek opportunities to get involved: Call TexProtects, the Texas Association for the Protection of Children 214-442-1672. www.texprotects.org