Child Abuse Statistics in Texas

Although Texas has the highest number of facilities where child abuse and neglect occurs, it is ranked the lowest in per capita spending on child abuse prevention.  The circumstances are not getting any better with the state of Texas recently cutting more than $27 million from these programs.  It’s now reported that Texas spends less than $7.5 million on child abuse prevention and early intervention yearly.

Nationwide, there are about 3 million cases of child abuse reported every year. In 2012, Texas alone accounted for 241,681 reports. Tragically, over four children die every week (on average) due to abuse or neglect in our state. Every day there are 176 confirmed victims, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex unfortunately accounts for 25% of all reported cases.

Child abuse and neglect have more negative effects on children than the average person may initially think.  “Children who have been abused and neglected are least 25% more likely to experience problems such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, low academic achievement, drug use and mental health problems.  As many as 80% of young adults who had been abused met the diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder at age 21 – including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and suicide attempts.  One third of abused and neglected children will eventually victimize their own children.  According to the Texas Commission on Children and Youth, children who grow up in violent homes are: 6 times more likely to commit suicide, 24 times more likely to commit sexual assault, 74 times more likely to commit crimes against another person, and 50 times more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs.”

Child abuse (and neglect) has a huge impact on not only children of the world today, but children in the future as well.  Help put a stop to, and prevent, child abuse. If you suspect a child care facility of abuse, we urge you to report it, and then to call our attorneys. Through a lawsuit, you can seek the justice your child deserves, and prevent the abuser from harming children in the future.