You are not alone, and it was not your fault.
TELL Texas offers free resources and support for anyone affected by child sexual abuse: survivors of any age, kids and teens, and the people who love them.
Helping families and communities recognize abuse and prevent it.
Giving survivors the tools and support to heal on their own terms.
Believing children and survivors when they find the courage to tell.
Surrounding survivors with care, respect, and hope.
Get help now
These services are free and confidential, and someone is there to answer 24 hours a day. On a phone, tap a number to call.
Texas Abuse Hotline
Report suspected abuse of a child in Texas.
1-800-252-5400 Report online at txabusehotline.orgChildhelp National Hotline
Talk with a counselor about abuse, for kids, teens, and adults.
1-800-422-4453 Or send a textRAINN Sexual Assault Hotline
Support for survivors of sexual abuse at any age.
1-800-656-4673 Chat online at rainn.org988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you're thinking about hurting yourself or feel overwhelmed.
Call or text 988Find a local advocacy center
Children's Advocacy Centers offer free help for kids and families across Texas.
Find a center near youThe facts about child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is far more common than most people think, and it almost always involves someone the child knows. Knowing the facts is the first step to stopping it.
girls, and at least 1 in 20 boys, in the U.S. experience sexual abuse during childhood.1
Because so many children never tell, the real numbers are likely higher.
Texas high school students reported having experienced sexual abuse in their lifetime.2
That's several students in almost every Texas classroom.
children received services at Texas Children's Advocacy Centers in one year, and 64% of those cases involved sexual abuse.3
September 2024 through August 2025.
Who abuses children
In child sexual abuse cases reported to police, about 9 in 10 children were abused by an acquaintance or a family member. Only 3% were abused by a stranger.4
people known to police for sexually abusing a minor are themselves under 18.5
When children and teens are surveyed directly, the share is even higher: most abuse they report was committed by other young people, mostly acquaintances.9 Supervising time between older and younger kids matters. There's hope here too: 98% of children who received specialized treatment for problematic sexual behavior did not repeat it within 10 years.2
of victims don't tell anyone within five years, and about 1 in 5 never tell at all.6
Many survivors first speak up as adults, sometimes decades later. Waiting to tell is normal, and it's never too late.
If this happened to you, you are not alone.
Millions of people across Texas and the country have lived through what you've lived through. Many kept it to themselves for years, just like you may have. Their stories, and yours, are why TELL Texas exists.
Whenever you're ready, someone is ready to listen.
How we can prevent it
Child sexual abuse is preventable. Adults, not children, are responsible for keeping kids safe, and small everyday habits make a real difference.1
Limit one-on-one time
Most abuse happens when a child is alone with an adult or older youth. Choose group activities, and make sure time with kids can be seen and interrupted.7
Talk early and often
Teach children the correct names for their body parts, that no one should touch their private parts, and that they never have to keep secrets about touching.
Watch for boundary-crossing
People who abuse often build trust with a family first and look for time alone with a child. Pay attention to any adult or teen who gives a child special gifts, attention, or secrets.
Ask about safety policies
Ask schools, churches, camps, and teams about background checks, supervision rules, and training for staff and volunteers.
Stay involved online
Know which apps and games your kids use and who they talk to. Keep devices in shared spaces for younger children.
Believe and report
If a child tells you, believe them. Only 4% to 8% of sexual abuse reports turn out to be false.8 In Texas, every adult must report suspected abuse to 1-800-252-5400.
Check the sex offender registry
Anyone can search the public sex offender registry for free. It's one more tool for knowing who is around your children.10,11
Good times to search
- When you move, or to learn who lives near your home and your child's school.
- Before a new babysitter, coach, tutor, or family friend spends time with your child.
- When a new adult or older teen starts paying special attention to your child.
If you find a match
- Confirm it's the right person. Names and birthdates can match someone else, so compare the photo and details.
- Use what you learn to make safety decisions for your family, not to confront anyone. Harassing or threatening someone can be a crime and doesn't make children safer.
- If you believe a registered person isn't following their registration rules, contact your local police or sheriff. In an emergency, call 911.
What the registry can't tell you
- It only lists people whose cases went through the courts. Most child sexual abuse is never reported, so most people who abuse children will never appear on it.
- Most abuse is committed by family members, friends, and acquaintances, often people with no record at all.
- A clean search doesn't mean someone is safe. Keep using the everyday habits above, like limiting one-on-one time and talking with your kids.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024). About Child Sexual Abuse.
- Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas. Why It Matters: Protecting Childhood in Texas.
- Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas. A Statewide Safety Net (services September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025).
- Smith, E., Martin, K., Barrick, K., & Richardson, N. Leveraging NIBRS to Better Understand Sexual Violence. Bureau of Justice Statistics and RTI International, Police Chief Magazine. Analysis of FBI NIBRS data, 2015.
- Finkelhor, D., Ormrod, R., & Chaffin, M. (2009). Juveniles Who Commit Sex Offenses Against Minors. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
- CHILD USA (2024). Delayed Disclosure Fact Sheet.
- Darkness to Light. 5 Steps to Protecting Our Children.
- Darkness to Light (2025). The 5 Steps to Protecting Children: Fall Edition.
- Gewirtz-Meydan, A., & Finkelhor, D. (2020). Sexual Abuse and Assault in a Large National Sample of Children and Adolescents. Child Maltreatment, 25(2), 203–214.
- Texas Department of Public Safety. Texas Sex Offender Registration Program.
- U.S. Department of Justice. About the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website.
For adult survivors
Whether the abuse happened last year or decades ago, what you feel is valid. Many survivors don't tell anyone for years. There is no deadline on healing, and there is no wrong way to begin.
Healing often looks like finding one safe person to talk to, then building from there. That person might be a counselor, a support group, a friend, or an advocate.
You decide what to share, when, and with whom. You don't owe anyone your story.
Ways to start
Find a counselor who understands trauma
Look for a therapist trained in trauma-focused care. Many offer sliding-scale fees. TELL Texas can help you find someone near you.
Learn about reporting past abuse
You can still report abuse that happened when you were a child. An advocate can explain your options and what to expect, with no pressure to decide anything.
Take care of yourself today
Rest, time outside, and people who feel safe all help. If memories feel overwhelming, call or text 988 any time.
For kids and teens
If someone touched you in a way that felt wrong, or asked you to keep a secret about your body, it is not your fault. You did nothing wrong.
What you can do
- Tell an adult you trust, like a parent, teacher, school counselor, coach, or relative.
- If they don't listen, keep telling until someone does.
- You can call or text Childhelp at 1-800-422-4453. They talk to kids every day.
- If you're in danger right now, call 911.
Things to remember
- Your body belongs to you.
- Secrets that make you feel scared or confused are okay to tell.
- Telling is brave, even if the person is someone you know or love.
- You won't be in trouble for telling.
For parents and caregivers
Most children who are abused know the person who hurt them. Knowing the signs and how to respond can make all the difference.
If a child tells you
- Stay calm. Your reaction shows them it's safe to talk.
- Believe them, and tell them so.
- Tell them it's not their fault and they did the right thing by telling.
- Don't press for details. Trained interviewers will do that later.
- Keep them away from the person they named.
- Report it to the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400, or to 911 if they're in danger.
In Texas, every adult who suspects a child is being abused is required by law to report it. You don't need proof. Reporting starts the process of getting the child help.
Signs that something may be wrong
No single sign proves abuse, but patterns and sudden changes are worth paying attention to.
Changes in behavior or mood
Withdrawal, anger, anxiety, nightmares, trouble sleeping, or a sudden drop in school performance.
Going back to younger behaviors
Bedwetting, thumb-sucking, or clinginess the child had outgrown.
Fear of a specific person or place
Not wanting to be alone with someone, or resisting a place they used to go without worry.
An adult giving special attention
Gifts, favors, or time alone that others aren't included in, especially with requests to keep secrets.
Physical signs
Unexplained pain, injuries, or complaints about their body. A pediatrician or child advocacy center can help.
Browsing safely
If you're worried someone might see that you visited this site, press the Quick exit button or the Esc key at any time. It takes you to a weather page right away.
You can also use a private or incognito window, which doesn't save your history. If you've already browsed normally, you can clear your history in your browser's settings. On a shared device, a phone at a library, school, or friend's house may be safer.
Support TELL Texas
TELL Texas relies on people who care. Your gift funds counseling referrals, community education, and support for survivors across Texas.
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You don't need to share your name or any personal details to reach out.
Email: executive.director@tell-texas.org
Mailing address:
TELL Texas
PO Box 1176
Bowie, TX 76230
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