Child abuse happens when someone hurts a child on purpose — physically, sexually, or with words meant to make them feel small.
If someone abuses you
- Tell a parent, relative, teacher, or another adult you trust. Most adults will believe you.
- If one adult doesn’t believe you, keep telling people until you feel safe.
- If someone told you to keep it secret, tell anyway — secrets like that aren’t yours to carry.
- If a touch makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s always okay to say no or walk away.
A few things to remember
- Sometimes it’s a stranger, but often it’s someone the child already knows.
- It is never the child’s fault.
- Tell, tell, tell — keep telling trusted adults until someone helps.
In an emergency, call 911. To report suspected abuse, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.