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When do I call the Texas Abuse Hotline instead of using this website? Call the Texas Abuse Hotline when the situation is urgent. Urgent means someone faces an immediate risk of abuse or neglect that could result in death or serious harm. Call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 for situations including but not limited to:
Serious injuries
Any injury to a child 5 years or younger
Immediate need for medical treatment (including suicidal thoughts)
Sexual abuse where the abuser has or will have access to the victim within the next 24 hours
Children age five and under are alone or are likely to be left alone within the next 24 hours
Anytime you believe your situation requires action in less than 24 hours
ABUSE BY A BISHOP
The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting system is a third-party system created as a resource for metropolitan archbishops and senior suffragens to help them implement the instructions of the Holy Father found in "Vos estis lux mundi." It is to be used to report sexual abuse by a bishop or the mishandling of a sexual abuse case by a bishop. It is not for any other complaints. The resource is accessible at www.ReportBishopAbuse.org.
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Reporting Juvenile Misconduct & Criminal Offenses
Who is a juvenile?
In Texas, a person can be charged in a juvenile court for criminal offenses committed on or after his [/her] 10th birthday. These offenses can range anywhere from a class C misdemeanor up to and including capital murder. A person who is at least 10 years old and under the age of 17 can be charged as a juvenile. Once a person turns 17 in Texas, he [/she] is legally considered an adult, and any criminal charges would be handled in adult court.
The Texas Penal Code governs both adult and juvenile criminal offenses. The Juvenile Justice Code, contained within the Texas Family Code under Title Three, sets forth vital statutes on arrest procedures, hearings, and dispositions specific to the juvenile system. Other applicable codes to be aware of include the Human Resources Code, Health and Safety Code, Government Code, and the Rules of Civil Procedure. Additionally, the Code of Criminal Procedure applies to discovery issues that arise in a juvenile court. https://www.tdcaa.com/journal/basics-juvenile-law
Reporting Procedures regarding juvenile to juvenile allegation in school or religious
education classroom setting:- Report incident to local law enforcement (Call 911 for emergency situations)
- Obtain case number from law enforcement
- Complete detailed incident report
- If applicable, request eye witness reports
- Follow school/parish protocols (Re: report to diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Pastor, Office of Business and Finance and/or designee, etc.)
Reporting Procedures regarding juvenile to juvenile allegation inside the home:- In an emergency situation, contact 911.
- Report incident to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services 1-800-252-5400.
- If the outcry witness discloses name, obtain reference/case #
- Complete detailed incident report including date, time and reference/case#, if available, in report.
- Follow school/parish protocols (Re: report to Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Pastor, Office of Business and Finance and/or designee, etc.)
When in doubt, always err on the side of caution; contact your local law enforcement, seek clarification from Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Office of Business and Finance and/or designee, Office of Safe Environment. - Report incident to local law enforcement (Call 911 for emergency situations)