April Showers Bring...
For this month’s newsletter we will be covering Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Child Abuse Awareness Month, and quick snippets over Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and Youth Violence Prevention Week. We will end with a highlight on the Shaken Baby Alliance and their meaningful efforts to reduce the prevalence of Shaken Baby Syndrome among many other child abuse issues. Thanks for tuning in this month!
Self-Care 469Tip of the Month
Spring Cleaning for Self-Care

Science shows that the physical environment around you affects your mental well-being including motivation levels, stress, and overall mood. While cleaning can seem tedious, if you do it right it can be a form of stress relief and a mood booster all while also being productive. Below are some top tips for decluttering your living/work space this spring1:

  • Make a List - seeing what you need to do and then crossing off those things will help you neatly manage your cleaning to-do list.

  • Break It Up - it’s okay to break up your cleaning tasks across multiple days or weekends!

  • Deep Clean - get in there! Doing more than a quick clean can leave you feeling even more satisfied while also leaving your space at a new starting spot.

  • Create Empty Space - having empty space is okay! This will help you feel like you have more space to breathe and less weighed down.

  • Round up the Troops - get those you live with to help you out. If you live alone, you could offer to take someone to dinner if they come and help you!

To learn about five more helpful tips about cleaning click here! Cleaning can be a cathartic and therapeutic experience for those who find their groove. It’s okay to start small and gradually add more as you find a system that works for you. I hope this month’s tip is helpful and happy cleaning!
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This awareness month is focused on preventing sexual assault, harassment, and abuse through education and advocacy with an ultimate goal of ending sexual violence. Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) was first nationally observed in 2001, making this year the 20th anniversary of SAAM. 

Every 73 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.2 This translates to about 1 in 5 women and 1 in 14 men experiencing rape.3 In addition, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual coercion in their lifetime.3 Even more, a majority of both females and males experienced completed or attempted rate by the time they turned 25 years old.3 These experiences, especially for those who experience them at a younger age can be detrimental to future emotional, financial, and physical development in addition to higher rates of revictimization in adulthood.3 

Being able to recognize signs of someone who may have be experiencing sexual assault is key to preventing further victimization or revictimization. Below are some common warning signs that someone may be experiencing sexually assault 4:

  • Signs of depression or anxiety, especially if they come on suddenly.
  • Unhealthy eating patterns or drastic weight gain/loss.
  • An increase in drinking or drug use
  • STIs, especially for younger teens or children.
  • Signs of physical abuse like bruises, scratches, or cuts.
  • For younger kids: excessive knowledge on sexual topics, increased aggression, and keeping secrets.
  • To learn more about warning signs, click here.

Remember, sexual assault can happen to anyone, anywhere; this includes on the street, at home, at a workplace, or even online.

Crime Stoppers is not a crisis line, if you are experiencing sexual assault or violence of any kind, please call One Safe Place at 817-916-4323. For those who have any information on suspected sexual assault of another individual or a sexual assault perpetrator then please leave an anonymous tip by calling 817-469-8477, going to www.469tips.com, or using the "CCS FFL" or "P3 Tips" mobile app.
Ways to Promote SAAM:

  • Talk about SAAM on your social media.

  • Wear teal to show your support for SAAM.

  • Be vocal about your support for SA victims and survivors.

  • Promote the concept and use of consent.

  • Advocate for school, workplace, and legislative policies that protect sexual assault victims.
Resources:

  • 1100 Hemphill St., Fort Worth, TX 76104
  • For Help: 817-916-4323

  • 1723 Hemphill St., Fort Worth, TX 76110
  • Crisis Hotline: 817-927-2737
Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is also Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month recognizes the importance of strengthening families and communities as a means to prevention of child abuse and neglect.4 

Texas had 64,093 reported incidents of child abuse in 2019; translating into a rate at 8.7 per 1,000 children.5 This is just below the national rate of 8.9 per 1,000.5 Most child abuse incidents are experienced by children less than 1 year of age with incidence reducing as a child grows older.5 Both in Texas and nationally, the most overwhelmingly common form of abuse is neglect with physical abuse coming in second.

One of the best ways to stop abuse from continuing is to understand the warning signs of child abuse6:

  • New fears arising
  • Increased anger and/or hostility
  • Inappropriate sexual behaviors
  • Unexplained injuries 
  • Problems at school
  • Sleeping and eating problems along with lack of hygiene

These are not the only signs of child abuse and should always be taken into consideration of the context in which the child is in. Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County is fortunate to be a part of One Safe Place who has various partners focused on child development, wellness, and abuse prevention. One of these partners includes the Shaken Baby Alliance; their focus is on preventing child abuse, especially Shaken Baby Syndrome. Please view our Featured Story of the Month to read more about them and the great work they are doing each day.

Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County is equipped to take anonymous reports from anyone who suspects child abuse. For those who would like to leave an anonymous report, please call 817-469-8477, go online to www.469tips.com, or use the "CCS FFL" or "P3 Tips mobile" app.
Ways to Promote Child Abuse Prevention Month:

  • Talk about Child Abuse Prevention Month on your social media.

  • Wear blue to show your support for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

  • Be an advocate for youth who may be in vulnerable situations.

  • Stay up to date on reporting laws and policies.
Resources:

  • For urgent situations:
1-800-252-5400
  • Call 911 for emergencies.

  • 1100 Hemphill St., Fort Worth, TX 76104
  • For Help: 817-916-4323
Other Prevention Efforts
This Month


April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. This month is dedicated to bringing awareness to the atrocities of animal cruelty, why animals deserve love and respect, and ways that you can help animals find a safe, loving home.

Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County is always a resource for those who suspect animal cruelty and would like to stay anonymous. Call 817-469-8477, go online to www.469tips.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app.
This year National Youth Violence Prevention Week runs from Monday, April 12th to Friday, April 16th.

This prevention week was founded in 2001 by Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE), an initiative of Sandy Hook Promise. This week-long campaign is focused on empowering youth to be the leaders in their communities to create and promote effective strategies to prevent youth violence. To learn more about this prevention week and ways that you and your community can become involved please click here.
Join us in commemorating the 40th anniversary of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) this month from April 18th-24th, 2021.

This is a week dedicated to acknowledging the achievements made in victim services and allied professions while also remembering crime victims and survivors. This year the Office for Victims of Crime selected the theme “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.” to emphasize the value that communities have when it comes to supporting victims of crime. To learn more about NCVRW and how you can promote this year's message please click here.
Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County's
Featured Story of the Month
Shaken Baby Alliance is a proud partner of One Safe Place. Coinciding with Child Abuse Prevention Month, Shaken Baby Alliance is celebrating their 23rd year of service this April. Over these past 23 years they have been inspired by the 6,434 victims and families they have helped, the 27,497 professionals they have trained to work on multidisciplinary teams, the 11,149 students who have received education on coping with a crying baby, and the 2,070 professionals who have trusted SBA in assisting with case consultations. Additionally, they are thankful for the volunteers, donors, advocates, and friends who have helped SBA in their mission to prevent child abuse by providing services to those and need.

SBA is working everyday to ensure that “Every Child Matters” and hopes you will join them on that mission. For more information about The Shaken Baby Alliance and their programs go to www.shakenbaby.org or visit their pages on Facebook and Instagram (@theshakenbabyalliance).
Training, Contact Info, and Print Material
While this school year looks different, the service provided by Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County to help you and your students, parents, and staff through the Campus Crime Stoppers and Friends for Life program remains the same. 



  • Print materials are available upon request and delivered to locations that are open for visitors.

  • Digital resources for this school year may be downloaded from our website here.
Follow Us!
Please feel free to follow us on all of our social media!

If your organization, school, or agency has social media pages please have them follow us and we will be sure to follow back!!
If you know of any other individuals, teams, or organizations that would like to be a part of this newsletter please do not hesitate to have them contact either Rachel or Julian so that they can be added to the email list.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns regarding Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County and our various programs please feel free to reach out to us at any time and we will respond in a timely manner.

Best regards,

Rachel Gilbert
Director, Special Programs

&

Julian Rangel
Engagement and Outreach Specialist

1100 Hemphill Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
817-469-8477 | 469tips.com | "CCS FFL" & "P3Tips" mobile apps