Protecting Childhood in Texas.
CACTX works with its network of CACs, its partner organization EverUpward, and statewide and community partners across the state to empower communities across the state to recognize risks, act quickly, and protect children.
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.
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.
Child sexual abuse is preventable.
Too often, child sexual abuse is treated as an unavoidable reality. That misconception keeps children at risk. Through decades of work with children, families, and communities across Texas, CACTX and its network of CACs have helped build the knowledge, partnerships, and tools needed to prevent abuse before it happens.
Today, CACTX continues to advance prevention through its partnership with EverUpward and its flagship initiative, EverBright. Informed by the experience of CACTX, local CACs, and community partners, EverBright equips parents, caregivers, pediatric providers, and communities with practical tools to help keep children safe.
Your Support is Paramount
We extend our gratitude to our private funding partners, whose generosity strengthens our efforts alongside vital public funding at the state and federal levels. Lasting change is only possible through collaboration, and across Texas, our partners share a common vision: together, we can make Texas the best place to be a child. Thank you for joining us.
