A Note from the CEO

Did you know that 92% of child abuse victims know their abusers?  Most people want to believe that children are safe in their homes and protected from potential threats in the community.  Unfortunately, however, this is not always the case. At Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC), we understand that in order to improve the lives of child abuse victims in Dallas County, we are responsible for helping the community understand that child abuse is not just a family issue, it is a community issue that we must all own. 
 
Over 393 days ago, I returned to DCAC as the President and CEO. As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with mixed emotions. I celebrate that DCAC was able to provide critical, trauma-informed services for over 8,000 children and families when they needed us most.  I am also grateful for the overwhelming generosity and support from donors, foundations, community members, and volunteers. Because of your generosity, we were able to serve every child and family member that came through our doors without hesitation and at no charge—all while continuing to navigate the challenges of the global pandemic.

And while these ‘gifts’ leave me encouraged and inspired by humanity, the fact that we are still fighting the same fight from when I left the agency in 2017 burdens my heart.  After spending the past 26 years in the child abuse field, it is heart-wrenching to know that there are still those in society who seek to prey on and harm our children. The people are not strangers. They live in our homes. They coach the teams our children play on. And, more often than not, they are people our children know, love, and trust. 

And while this might make some want to believe child abuse is a family issue, we must all understand that child abuse is a community issue. Children who do not receive treatment for their victimization are likely to face challenges with drugs and alcohol, domestic violence, increased involvement in criminal activities, and suffer from mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and self-harm. As a community, our collective response ensures our children do not fall victim to these hardships. At DCAC, our wraparound services in investigating, prosecuting, and providing healing break the cycle of abuse and ensure that our children can dream and thrive. But DCAC cannot do this work alone.

All of us can—and should—commit to protecting Dallas County’s children by getting involved.  Whether it be volunteering, educating yourself and others, advocating for children, or donating to support the services offered by the child abuse response agencies, your actions will have a lasting impact on the life of a child. Your support no matter how small can change the life of a child.