Stopping child sexual abuse starts in Texas.

Child sexual abuse can be stopped. CACTX is empowering communities across the state to recognize risks, act quickly, and protect children.

Child sexual abuse is preventable.

Too often, child sexual abuse is treated as an unavoidable reality. That misconception keeps children at risk. CACTX is changing that story by raising awareness, training adults, and giving communities the tools to act.

1 in 6 Texas high school students reported having experienced sexual abuse in their lifetime.

Alarmingly, more children are impacted by sexual abuse than childhood cancer, which impacts 1 in 285 children before their 20th birthday.

7x Faster Growth

By 2050, the Texas child population is expected to grow 7 times faster than the national child population. Unless measures are taken to protect children, as the child population grows, so will occurrences of child sexual abuse.

10% of the country’s children live in Texas.

Ending child sexual abuse in Texas will inevitably translate to other states, ultimately improving outcomes for children across the country.

3 out of 5 children never disclose sexual abuse.

Three out of five children never tell someone that they have been sexually abused. Most children are unlikely to disclose sexual abuse to an adult, and a low percentage of all incidents are ultimately reported to authorities.

The long-term toll of child sexual abuse

Trauma in childhood leaves scars that last a lifetime.

Child sexual abuse is an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) with consequences that can follow victims well into adulthood. The impacts affect both mental and physical health:

Mental Health Challenges

  • Post-traumatic stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Suicide

Physical Health Challenges

  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Heart problems
  • Stroke
  • Hypertension

And still, most children never disclose their abuse. Without meaningful change, thousands will continue to carry the weight of trauma alone.

The high cost of child sexual abuse

It’s a burden every Texan carries.

Child sexual abuse doesn’t just harm survivors. It impacts entire communities, driving higher rates of:

  • Substance abuse and teen pregnancy
  • Unemployment, lost productivity, and reduced income
  • Criminal justice, child welfare, and healthcare costs

The price tag reaches billions of dollars every year. Prevention isn’t only possible, it’s the most effective and cost-efficient way to protect children and reduce the burden on society.

Learn About Prevention

Go beyond misconceptions to improve public health.

Child sexual abuse prevention in Texas starts with raising public awareness about the real issues and actions communities can take to protect vulnerable children. Understanding child sexual abuse empowers communities and helps break down misconceptions that hinder effective prevention efforts, leading to the over-allocation of resources to post-abuse strategies.

For example, it is often assumed that strangers predominantly commit acts of child sexual abuse. In reality, many cases involve individuals that a child knows and trusts, including family members, friends, or acquaintances.

Dispelling this misconception is crucial to prevention efforts, highlighting the need to teach children and adults the importance of open communication, establishing healthy boundaries, identifying inappropriate behavior, and the importance of children reporting sexual abuse to a safe and trusted adult, regardless of the perpetrator’s identity.

Detecting Child Sexual Abuse

The signs of child sexual abuse can be subtle.

Child sexual abuse is not easily identifiable and can happen without visible signs or physical force. It often involves manipulation, coercion, and grooming, making it hard for children and adults to recognize.

Dispelling misconceptions is crucial for communities to recognize the subtle signs, enabling early intervention and prevention. We’re working to empower communities to break the cycle, identify warning signs, and take effective actions when possible abuse is detected.

Reporting Abuse is Critical

When child sexual abuse happens, action is necessary.

Child sexual abuse often goes unreported because child victims fear they won’t be believed. Fearing potential repercussions, they suffer self-blame, guilt, and shame in silence. When children do disclose sexual abuse, they often confide in peers who cannot report it.

Unfortunately, abused children aren’t completely wrong in their assumptions. Adults such as teachers, doctors, coaches, and faith leaders often lack the knowledge to recognize signs of abuse. They may not know how to readily address such abuse when it is reported to them. We can change this.

70% of girls who experienced sexual abuse or sexual assault during childhood were victimized by another child or teen, usually a male.

98% of children who received specialized treatment for problematic sexual behavior had not re-engaged in the behavior within 10 years of completing treatment.

1/3 but possibly as many as 1/2 of cases of child sexual abuse are committed by another child or youth.

Building a Preventive Action Plan

Our initiative to end child sexual abuse is well underway.

Our understanding of the prevalence, individual impacts, societal costs, and common misconceptions of child sexual abuse make our priorities clear. We are leading the way by:

  • Research. Funding research to further understand child sexual abuse to inform prevention strategies for Texas communities,
  • Child-centered resources. Developing educational materials aimed at informing children, parents, caregivers, and communities about abuse prevention and the support available for victims,
  • Adult education. Supporting specialized education for adults at Texas schools, community centers, and faith-based organizations around child sexual abuse,
  • Public Awareness. Promoting collaboration among systems and individuals to advance prevention messaging and drive action,
  • Victim support. Connecting child victims and families with our justice and healing services through the nearest CAC in the event of abuse.

 

Report Suspected Abuse

If you suspect child abuse, you are required by law to report it. Take action by contacting the Texas Abuse Hotline. 1-800-252-5400

Your Support is Paramount

Our success in creating lasting change is only possible with the collaboration and support of partners across the state who share our belief that we can make Texas the best place to be a child. Our supporters are a critical aspect of our effort to protect Texas children in every community.

Become a Supporter