Do You Suspect Sexual Child Abuse at a Laredo Tx Daycare?

Daycare is a fact of life for most parents in Laredo Tx. Around 60% of all Texas households are homes with two working parents or single-parent homes where the parent works at least part-time. That means there are over three million children in the state needing childcare.

For most, childcare centers are places of comfort, fun, and learning. For an unfortunate few, they’re the site of abuse. Last year alone, there were nearly 1,000 investigations into maltreatment and neglect in Texas daycares, with over 300 confirmed cases.’

If your child is the victim of sexual abuse in a Laredo childcare facility, the Texas daycare injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw are here to help.

How Widespread Is Sexual Abuse in Texas Daycares?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, around one-fourth of all children in the country attend daycare. Organized child care includes any facility that cares for a child outside of the home, such as a church, daycare, preschool, nursery, etc.

Take a look at some statistics regarding daycare in the state of Texas:

• There are over 780,000 facilities that provide childcare services in the state.
• Webb County is home to over 200 licensed centers.
• The average child in Texas spends a total of 25-35 hours per week in daycare at a cost of $7,000 - $10,000 per year.

Incidents of sexual abuse in daycare are low compared to the number of children enrolled, but still troubling. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that over 60,000 children suffered some form of sexual abuse last year, with over 7,000 cases reported in Texas alone.

Of that total, around 1% originated from daycare. While that percentage may seem low, our daycare abuse attorneys serving Laredo know it still represents an unacceptable number of children every year who are abused in a place where they should feel safe.

What Are the Signs of Sexual Abuse?

A U.S. Department of Justice study on sexual abuse in daycare found that most abusers were either the caregivers, their family members, or other employees at the facility.

Children aren’t always quick to report abuse. In that same study, one-third of perpetrators continued the abuse for over six months, often silencing the victim through intimidation. Therefore, it’s important that parents be diligent in looking for evidence of sexual abuse.

Our Laredo sexual abuse lawyers recommend that you watch for signs in three categories:

Physical

Physical signs are far less common but include bruising, bleeding, unexplained stomach pain and headaches, and difficulty sitting or walking.

Emotional

Emotional signs are among the most common and include anxiety, withdrawal, fear, depression, night terrors, and unexplained anger.

Behavioral

Some children who have been abused will revert to past behaviors such as bedwetting or thumb sucking. Others may start to use mature sexual language or engage in inappropriate sexual acts with other children.

If any of these sound familiar to you, your child may be the victim of abuse.

What to Do if You Suspect Sexual Abuse

Do you suspect sexual child abuse at a Laredo Tx Daycare? If so, call the police and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The DFPS has 24/7 reporting either through a toll-free number or a simple online form.

After you’ve filed a report, immediately call the Texas daycare injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw. Our experienced local lawyers are familiar with all Texas child abuse laws, which makes them the most qualified to help.

Carabin Shaw Can Get You Justice | Free Case Review

If your child is a victim of sexual abuse, our attorneys in Laredo are ready to fight for your family. They can get you the justice you deserve and the compensation you need to move forward.

Call us toll-free at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our representatives. Our English and Spanish-speaking staff are available 24/7.

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