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What is a CAC?
A children’s advocacy center (CAC) is a non-profit 501 (c ) (3) organization in Texas, CACs are evaluated and supported by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, Inc. CAC of Texas is a non-profit agency that oversees all of the CACs in the entire state and contract through the Texas Attorney General’s Office to provide training, some funding, technical assistance and evaluation to local CACs.
Patsy’s House Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. was incorporated in May 1996 under the name Wichita County Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. In 2000 under Articles of Amendment the name was changed to Patsy’s House Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. and has operated as such since that time. An Interagency Agreement was executed formalizing a cooperative agreement between law enforcement officials, the District Attorney, Child Protective Services, medical and mental health providers. Patsy’s House is a member of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, Inc. (Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas, Inc.) and is an accredited member with National Children’s Alliance (National Children's Alliance).
Do I Have to Report?
Anyone “having cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect” must report the case to any state or local law enforcement agency and to the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. Failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect is punishable by imprisonment of up to 180 days and/or a fine of up to $1,000. (Texas Family Code, Chapter 34)
Anyone who files a report is immune from civil or criminal liability - if the report is made in “good faith” and “without malice”.
• “Good faith” means the person took reasonable steps to learn the facts that were readily available and at hand.
• “Without Malice” means the person did not intend to injure or violate the rights of another person.
How do I report?
If you feel your situation is an emergency, please contact 911 or your local emergency hotline.
To report child abuse or neglect, call 1-800-252-5400.
For situations that do not require a response within 24 hours you may report through Department of Family and Protective's secure web site: https://www.txabusehotline.org
What are signs of child abuse:
• Injuries that are in the shape of an object (belt buckle, electric cord, etc.)
• Unexplained or repeated injuries such as welts, bruises, burns
• Injuries not likely to happen given the age or ability of the child. For example, broken bones in a child too young to walk or climb.
• Disagreement between the child's and the parent's explanation of the injury.
• Unreasonable explanation of the injury.
• Obvious neglect of the child (dirty, undernourished, inappropriate clothes for the weather, lack of medical or dental care).
• Fearful behavior.
• Aggressive or withdrawn behavior.
• Shying away from physical contact with parents or adults.
• Afraid to go home.
• Child tells you he/she was sexually mistreated.
• Child has physical signs such as:
difficulty in walking or sitting
stained or bloody underwear
genital or rectal pain, itching, swelling, redness, or discharge
bruises or other injuries in the genital or rectal area
• Child has behavioral and emotional signs such as:
difficulty eating or sleeping
soiling or wetting pants or bed after being potty trained
acting like a much younger child
excessive crying or sadness
withdrawing from activities and others
talking about or acting out sexual acts beyond normal sex play for age
What rights do I have as a Crime Victim?
Victims of Crime have the right to:
• Receive adequate protection from harm and threats of harm arising from cooperation with prosecution efforts.
• Have their safety consider by the magistrate when setting bails.
• Receive information, on request, on relevant court proceeding, including appellate proceedings, of cancellations or rescheduling prior to the event, and appellate court decisions after the decisions are entered but before they are made public.
• Be informed, when requested, by a peace officer about the defendants rights to bail and criminal investigation procedures, and from the prosecutor’s office about general procedures in the criminal justice system, including plea agreements, restitution, appeals and parole.
• Provide pertinent information concerning the impact of the crime to the probation department prior to the sentencing.
• Information about the Texas Crime Victim’s Compensation (Crime Victim's Compensation) funds and payments for a medical examination for a victim of a sexual assault, and, on request, referral to social services agencies that provide additional assistance.
• Information, on request, about parole procedures, notification of parole proceedings and of the inmate’s release; and the right to participate in the parole process by submitting written information to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for inclusion in the defendant’s file for consideration by the Board prior to parole.
• A separate or secure waiting area at all public court proceedings.
• Prompt return of any property that is not longer needed as evidence.
• Have the prosecutor notify, upon request, an employer that the need for the victim’s testimony may involve the victim’s absence from work.
• On request, the right to counseling and testing regarding AIDS and HIV infection and testing for victims of sexual assault.
• Request victim/offender mediation coordinated by the Victim Services Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
• Be informed of the use and purpose of a victim impact statement, to complete a victim impact statement and to have the statement considered before sentencing and acceptance of a plea bargain and before an inmate is release on parole.
Links:
Crime Victim's Information
Crime Victim's Compensation
Kids Page
Parents or caregivers, if you want to learn more about the Internet and the possible dangers to children please visit www.NetSmartz.org
Office of Texas Attorney General
Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas, Inc.
National Children's Alliance
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
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Texas Runaway Hotline
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1-888-580-HELP (1-888-580-4357)
To provide peer counseling to runaways and family members.
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Texas Youth Hotline
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1-800-210-2278
To provide peer counseling to youth and family members for family conflicts, delinquency, truancy, abuse and neglect, and running away.
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