Travis County leaders urge early investment in prevention to curb child abuse

Travis County leaders and community partners used a public briefing to emphasize prevention as the primary way to reduce child abuse, describe 2025 case loads and services, and press residents to report suspected abuse rather than decide for themselves whether to act.

At the opening of the event, the Moderator said: "When families have what they need, kids in Travis County are safer," framing prevention investments — in safe housing, utility assistance, home repairs, mental-health and substance-use supports, and affordable childcare — as the county's priority.

"In 2025 alone, there were more than 5,000 investigations into child abuse and neglect in Travis County, with over 1,200 children confirmed as victims," the Moderator said, calling those numbers a signal of continuing need for early support.

José Garza, Travis County District Attorney, said the DA's office oversees both criminal and civil responses to child abuse. "In 2025, the District Attorney's Office oversaw 617 criminal cases of child abuse and filed 342 civil intervention cases," Garza said, noting that the office dedicates 22 specialized attorneys to child-exploitation, abuse, and neglect matters and embeds a prosecutor at the Center for Child Protection to coordinate investigations and minimize trauma.

Sheriff Sally Hernandez described the Sheriff's Office victim-centered approach and the county's investigative capacity. "If you're a victim, we want you to come to us," Hernandez said, and she told attendees the child-abuse team includes a sergeant, six detectives, two law-enforcement specialists, and one victim-service specialist who handle more than 12,000 CPS referrals annually.

Susana Martinez, executive director of Partnerships for Children, described nonprofit supports that fill gaps left by state and county systems, including the Rainbow Room and Heart Gallery. "Our role is to help fill the gaps between what the county and state systems can provide, and what families need to succeed," Martinez said, and she urged preserving collaborative relationships as the region transitions to community-based care.

Michael Torres, CEO of the Center for Child Protection, outlined the center's services and outreach. "In 2025, the Center provided forensic interviews for 856 children and 4,648 mental-health sessions," Torres said, adding that 6,420 children and adults attended prevention trainings last year and that parent participation and Spanish-language engagement increased substantially.

During a brief audience Q&A, speakers repeatedly urged bystanders to report suspected abuse. In response to a question about uncertainty in reporting, a Center representative said: "What if you're right?" and encouraged community members to "trust your gut" and make a report so trained professionals can investigate. Speakers also explained an April awareness effort — many advocates wore blue, which organizers said was chosen "because it is the color of bruises when they heal."

No formal votes or policy changes were taken at the briefing. Speakers described ongoing interagency work, including a program begun around 2022 to review sexual-assault investigations in partnership with APD that was later expanded into child-abuse units and which the DA said includes weekly leadership coordination with law enforcement partners.

The session closed with a renewed call from officials to report suspected abuse and with thanks to the county's nonprofit and agency partners for collaborating on prevention and response.