SAN ANTONIO – Texas Department of Family and Protective Services says that educators are acting as the first line of defense against child abuse, with reports to the agency’s hotline rising each school year when students return to class.
The agency shared data showing Region 8, which covers the San Antonio area as well as Victoria, received 2,537 reports in September 2024. The following year, that number rose 3% to 2,619.
Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) also noted month-to-month increases, with the most significant jump of 21% happening between August and September as students returned to the classroom.
According to Michelle Cunningham, the Regional Director of Investigations at CPS, the holidays bring a different set of challenges.
“After October, we see a slight decrease going into November, December and January holiday seasons,” Cunningham said. “Again, you have to think sometimes we have fall breaks, we have Thanksgiving break, we have Christmas break and so when you have children that are out of school for a week to two to three weeks at a time, again that reduces the amount of access they have to their school personnel.”
Cunningham said anyone can and should report concerns about child abuse or neglect, not just trained professionals.
She also urged church members, neighbors and family members to watch for unexplained injuries or bruises, an extreme fear of going home or seeing parents, as well as changes in behavior.
To report abuse, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400.