LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – April is child abuse awareness month and Lubbock has the second highest rate of child abuse in Texas.
Several organizations try to raise awareness about child abuse or neglect during the month of April. According to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Texas, about 185 children in Texas are abused in some manner every day.
“It’s really important if you see it, say it, we can change it,” Derek Danner, the executive director at the Children’s Advocacy Center of the South Plains, said.
More than 6,000 children in the Lubbock region were involved in a child abuse or neglect investigation last year.
“Majority of those reports are Lubbock County that we read and provide service for,” Danner said. “735 of those interviews were in Lubbock County.”
In 2022, Texas Child Protection and Family Services reported 3,699 children were victims of abuse or neglect; that number has since decreased to 3,517 victims in 2023.
Danner said raising awareness is the key to protecting children.
“We need to educate our parents, we need to educate our children, and we can prevent this; this is 100% preventable,” Danner said.
He said speaking up for those that cannot speak for themselves is how people can make a difference.
“That’s what’s going to change it,” Danner said. “If we don’t make those reports, if you don’t act when a child comes and tells you something and that voice falls on deaf ears, they may never report that again.”
In the Lubbock region, five innocent children lost their lives during 2023 due to child abuse and neglect. Danner stated it takes education, intervention and a village to end the cycle.
Those wanting to lend a helping hand can go to the Children’s Advocacy Center of the South plains. If you need to report child abuse, visit the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Copyright 2024 KCBD. All rights reserved.
This post was originally published on 3rd party site mentioned in the title of this page
