Jose 'JJ' Balderas
A $22,000 Texas Bar Foundation grant will allow the Children’s Advocacy Center of Parker County to offer free one-hour child abuse education seminars aimed at helping adults recognize signs of abuse and know how to report concerns.
Diana Aslin, executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Parker County, said the funding will help the organization provide easier access to training directly within the community.
“The Recognize and Report Abuse training is a community education program,” Aslin said. “It allows us to invest in prevention by equipping adults with the knowledge to recognize concerns and respond appropriately.”
Aslin said fear and uncertainty are among the reasons adults may hesitate to report suspected abuse. Some adults believe they must prove abuse occurred before making a report, while others worry about becoming involved or being wrong.
"One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need proof before making a report,” she said. “Under Texas law, you’re not expected to investigate or determine whether abuse occurred. If you have reason to believe a child may be abused or neglected, it’s your duty to report.”
Aslin said the training is designed to help adults know how to recognize warning signs and how to properly report suspicions to a professional investigator.
“Their role is to recognize concerns, make a report and allow the trained investigator and forensic interviewers to do what they’re trained to do,” she said.
“I can’t emphasize that enough, because that helps protect the child from having to be re-traumatized and having to tell their story over and over again. That’s why we exist — to minimize that trauma and to protect the integrity of that investigation,” Aslin said.
Aslin said the recent state law no longer allows anonymous reports, which may cause some adults not to file a report for fear of being wrong.
“Our goal isn’t to make people fearful,” she said. “It’s to help them feel informed, prepared and confident to take that next step if they suspect that a child might be in danger.”
Though anonymous reports are no longer allowed, Aslin noted reports remain confidential through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
“A suspicion will then be investigated, and if there are no findings, at least you did your due diligence to ensure that the child is safe,” she said.
Aslin said educating adults about abuse prevention is critical to keeping children safe in communities throughout Parker County.
“When people don’t know, then fear sets in,” she said. “Prevention begins with informed adults, and every informed adult strengthens that safety net around a child.”
The training will be led by Lauren Gudgel, prevention education and outreach specialist at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Parker County. Gudgel is also a Springtown resident and parent.
Aslin said Gudgel’s background and approach could help make difficult subject matter more approachable and relatable for the community.
“Lauren’s approach is very warm, very engaging — she’s incredibly skilled in what she does,” she said.
The one-hour training seminar will cover possible signs of abuse and neglect, legal responsibilities under Texas law, how and where to make a report, what happens after a report is made and how the Children’s Advocacy Center supports children and families after a disclosure is made by a child.
The advocacy center is currently looking for partners such as schools, churches, businesses, civic groups and other organizations directly within the community to host the free seminars.
“We’re really wanting to bring this training to the community versus asking the community to come to our space,” Aslin said.
The advocacy center can also host training if a group does not have space available.
Aslin said success for the program could look like a teacher, coach, childcare provider, church volunteer or neighbor recognizing when something is wrong and knowing how to respond.
“If this training gives even one adult the confidence to protect one child, we think it’s made a lasting difference,” Aslin said.
Springtown-area groups interested in hosting a training seminar can contact Lauren Gudgel at [email protected].
