Child Abuse & Neglect

SB 471

Abuse and NeglectRecognizing Abuse and NeglectO Physical abuse includes actions such as beating,

burning, or punching a child.O Emotional abuse may involve criticizing, insulting,

rejecting, or withholding love from a child.O Sexual abuse includes rape, touching or fondling,

or involving a child in pornography.O Neglect includes failure to provide for a child's

basic physical, medical, emotional, or educational needs. Leaving a young child home alone or failing to provide needed medical care may also be considered neglect

Child Abuse & NeglectGeneral Signs of Abuse: O Nervous around adults or

afraid of certain adults.O Reluctant to go home

(coming to school early or staying late, for example).

O Very passive and withdrawn or aggressive and disruptive.

O Tired a lot, or they might complain of nightmares or not sleeping well.

O Fearful and anxious.

General Signs of Neglect:O Missing school a lot.O Begging for food, stealing

food, or stealing money for food.

O Lacking needed medical or dental care.

O Being frequently dirty.O Using alcohol or other

drugs.O Saying there is no one at

home to take care of them.

Abuse and NeglectSigns of Physical

AbuseO Unexplained burns,

bruises, black eyes, or other injuries.

O Apparent fear of a parent or caretaker.

O Faded bruises or healing injuries after missing school.

Signs of Sexual AbuseO Difficulty walking or

sitting, or other indications of injury in the genital area.

O Sexual knowledge or behavior beyond what is normal for the child's age.

O Running away from home.

Abuse & NeglectSigns of Emotional

AbuseO Acting overly mature or

immature for the child's age.

O Extreme changes in behavior.

O Delays in physical or emotional development.

O Attempted suicide.O Lack of emotional

attachment to the parent

How to Report Abuse and/or Neglect

How to Report Abuse and/or NeglectO Texas Abuse Hotline 800-252-5400O TxAbuseHotline.org – online reportO Emergencies – call your local law

enforcement agency or 911 immediately if you have an emergency or life-threatening situation

Where to go for helpO Your BMMS Counselor, Student

Assistance Counselor, Administrator, SRO or Teacher

O A parent or trusted adultO Texas Department of Family &

Protective Services O HelpAndHope.org