ALWAYS REPORT SUSPICIONS OF CHILD ABUSE!

If you suspect a child is a victim, or if a child has made an outcry of abuse to you, your next steps are critical to that child's safety. By believing the child and reporting the abuse, you affirm the trust this child has in you to protect him/her. 

ALWAYS BELIEVE THE CHILD. Children rarely lie about such an intense and painful topic. In fact, statistics indicate that children only lie about abuse 2 – 8% of the time!

Suspicions of child abuse should be reported to Child Protective Services by calling their child abuse hotline at 1-800-252-5400.

Please keep in mind that the law is specific about reporting child abuse. If you have a suspicion, be sure to:

• Make the report within 48 hours of your first suspicion
• Make the report yourself – don’t count on anyone to do this for you
• Be Patient! You may have to wait to talk with an operator. Don't let this discourage you from making a report – you could be saving the life of a child.

If the child is in immediate danger, please contact your local law enforcement agency or dial 911.

For a list of symptoms, indicators and risk factors of child abuse, click here.

Please Note: The Dallas Children's Advocacy Center accepts cases exclusively through referrals from Child Protective Services and/or Dallas County law enforcement agencies. If you have a suspicion of abuse, please utilize the instructions above and contact one of these two organizations.