Chapter 6.3: Reporting Child Abuse

The law requires any person who believes that a child is being abused, neglected, or exploited to report the circumstances to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services Abuse Hotline. A person making a report is immune from civil or criminal liability, and the name of the person making the report is kept confidential. Any person suspecting abuse and not reporting it can be held liable for a Class B misdemeanor.

Time frames for investigating reports are based on severity allegations.

Child Protective Services staff considers the following factors in determining whether the situation involves substantial risk of harm to a child:

• Extent and severity of the injury

• Location of the injury on the child’s body

• The child’s age

• The child’s physical condition, psychological state, and level of maturity and development

• The child’s capacity for self protection

• Frequency and duration of the same behavior or similar incidents

• Previous history of abuse or neglect

• How the injury occurred or was inflicted

When in doubt, call the Texas Abuse Hotline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll free 800-252-5400.