AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Kids are back in school and playing sports, and Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center wants to share with parents how they can keep their children safe.

“Parents need to be educated, first and foremost. They need to know what the signs are, how to recognize them, how to respond, how to report them. Those are really important components. There’s a website called Safe Sports that has lots of links to educational topics and toolkits. There’s all kinds of information,” said Shelly Bohannon, executive director of the Bridge Advocacy Center.

While most people consider abuse by coaches to be physical or sexual abuse, it also includes misconduct.

Misconduct can range from overexertion to bullying or mobbing.

“If your child loses interest in a sport or stops participating even though they have always enjoyed it, that is a warning sign that we as parents should be looking into. Why is that happening? What happened?” Bohannon said.

Bridge advocates say the best way to protect your children is to know exactly where and with whom your child is.

“Knowing where your child is, who they’re interacting with, what their schedule looks like, that can come from the school. That can come from the club director, whatever. What is that expected schedule supposed to look like? So if something is different from the expected schedule, parents can ask why,” Bohannon said.

The Bridge encourages parents to maintain open communication with their children and encourage them to tell a trusted adult about any uncomfortable situation.

In the state of Texas, it is required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse.

If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

For all other cases in Texas, call the Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.

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