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With April dedicated as Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) announced Wear Blue Day as Friday, April 5, for supporters to show solidarity in the cause; supporters are asked to use #GoBlueDay on social media platforms to show support of Child Abuse Prevention.
According to Alicia Jinkerson, a Faith-based and Community Engagement Specialist of DFPS Region 5, April is nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“By going blue and taking a stand with us, you will raise awareness in your community and help keep Texas children safe,” said Jinkerson. “There are many events and activities going on in the community and we would love for everyone to show their support throughout the month of April.”
April 5 at noon, “Let’s Go Blue Jefferson County” will be held at the Fire Museum Pavilion, 400 Walnut St. in Beaumont. There will be speakers sharing about child abuse prevention, followed by refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to wear blue to spread awareness about child abuse and neglect.
The Hardin County Crime Victims Assistance Center (HCCVAC) will host an event for Child Abuse Awareness Month, called “Pave the Way to Prevention,” from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at the Lumberton City Park, 1300 FM 421.
“We have invited numerous child advocacy agencies to set up informational booths to give families local resources, such as Garth House, Bikers Against Child Abuse, Child Abuse & Forensic Services and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), among others,” said HCCVAC Director Jennifer Walters, who added there will also be multiple games and activities for families, such as a petting zoo, bounce house, face painting and more This event is free to the public. The only cost is purchasing food from the food trucks that will be at the event.
“We are expecting this to be our largest child abuse event yet,” said Walters.
DFPS encourages the public to promote child abuse prevention within their networks, hoping to reach as many individuals as possible to equip families with knowledge and resources to support child abuse prevention practices in Texas.
Statewide, according to DFPS, as of February, Child Protective Services (CPS) reported there were 12,168 investigations, 30,990 children involved and 19,547 alleged victims. They also reported 4,743 children were physically abused, 3,634 sexually abused, 614 emotionally abused and 49 abandoned. There were additionally 1,167 children medically neglected and 1,880 physically neglected. More than 50 were sex trafficked and five labor trafficked.
In Southeast Texas counties of Jefferson, Hardin and Orange, there were a total of 511 investigations initiated for 300 alleged victims. Of the alleged victims, 56 were physically abused, 65 sexually abused and nine emotionally abused; 13 were medically neglected, 28 physically neglected and 200 were under neglectful supervision.
Jefferson County data shows 327 investigations for 193 alleged victims. Thirty-five children were physically abused, 44 sexually abused and four emotionally abused. Ten were medically neglected, 16 physically neglected and 125 under neglectful supervision.
In Orange County, 105 investigations were reported with 52 alleged victims — 14 physically abused, 10 sexually abused and two emotionally abused. Six were physically neglected and 35 under neglectful supervision.
In Hardin County, there were 79 cases and 55 alleged child victims. Eleven were sexually abused, seven physically abused and three emotionally abused. Two suffered medical neglect, six suffered physical neglect and 50 were under neglectful supervision.
CASA
CASA of the Sabine Neches Region, which serves Orange, Hardin, Jasper, Newton, Sabine and Tyler counties, has seen an increase of children removed from their homes during the fiscal year of Sept. 1, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2023, according to DFPS.
Codie Vasquez, executive director of CASA of the Sabine Neches Region, said five out of the six counties had an increase in children removed from their homes.
“Overall, across all six counties, there was a 56% increase in removals from 2022 to 2023,” said Vasquez.
Region 5 of CPS consists of 11 counties, including Hardin, Jefferson and Orange. In 2023, there were 588 removals – up from 493 in 2022; there were 694 removals in 2021.
There were 36 removals in Hardin County, 72 in Orange and 166 in Jefferson County in 2023. Statewide, 9,965 children were removed from homes.
Vasquez noted that the primary challenge faced by CASA of the Sabine Neches Region in advocating for abused and neglected children is the shortage of volunteers.
“During the 2023 fiscal year, only 49% of the children entering our care received the support of a CASA volunteer,” said Vasquez. “Our commitment remains unwavering: We will continue our efforts to recruit more volunteers until every child in need has the guidance and representation of a CASA, which is often linked to more positive outcomes.”
Vasquez stated that April’s Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month serves as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.
“At CASA, we’re dedicated to not only advocating for children who have experienced abuse or neglect but also to raise awareness in our communities to preventing such tragedies before they occur,” she said. “Every child deserves a safe and loving environment. In April, we amplify our message and call upon the community to join us in creating a nurturing world for our children.”
Vasquez encourages everyone to wear blue, participate in local events and spread the word.
“It’s about making a visible commitment to recognizing child abuse and knowing when and how to report child abuse,” she added.
Report suspected child abuse by calling the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or visit www.txabusehotline.org.