Last year in Bexar County 5,846 kids were abused or neglected. We have the second highest rates of abuse in the state. Houston's Harris County ranks first, but Bexar only has 83 fewer total incidents with a child population half that of Harris.
In addition, kids in Bexar County are more often abused even after Child Protective Services gets involved.
The numbers raise any number of questions, of which: Why in a city with half has many kids are we seeing that amount of abuse?
Questions and numbers can't put a face to the kids enduring these hardships in San Antonio, so the providers that serve them are trying to do it for them. We talk to representatives raising awareness ahead of April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
- You can always contact Child Protective Services if you witness abuse, neglect or exploitation at: 1-800-252-5400
Guests:
- James Castro, executive director of St. PJ's Children's Home, which serves victims of abuse and neglect.
- Kim Abernethy, CEO of ChildSafe
- Cathy Siegel, development director of ChildSafe
In early January, ChildSafe launched their "Cardboard Kids" campaign to engage the community. Area businesses and organizations are decorating and displaying 5,846 cardboard kids to represent the abused.
*This is the first segment in the March 24 edition of The Source, which airs at 3 p.m. on KSTX 89.1 FM -- audio from this show will be posted by 5:30 p.m.
***Disclosure Note: The City of San Antonio Department for Culture & Creative Development is a financial supporter of Texas Public Radio.
