When interviewing the alleged victim, the APS worker:
• addresses all important factors regarding the allegations and the alleged victim’s overall situation;
• interviews the alleged victim alone in cases involving an alleged perpetrator, but allows the alleged victim to have another person present, if requested by the alleged victim; and
• interviews the alleged victim again at a later time as necessary to resolve discrepancies.

When another person is present during the interview, the APS worker documents whether the alleged victim requested that the person be present and the person’s relationship to the alleged victim.

The APS specialist monitors the alleged victim during the interview to see if the alleged victim appears to be hesitant, withdrawn, or nervous while participating in the interview. Such cues may be indications that the alleged victim is not comfortable speaking openly in the presence of the other person.

FOOTNOTES
1. Includes victims who were also perpetrators (findings of self-neglect.)

2. Victims have been unduplicated by investigation stage.

3. Some investigations were completed without region or county location information being recorded. These investigations are included in the relevant annual total, with "None Specified" as their Region and County values.

When interviewing the alleged victim, the APS worker:
• addresses all important factors regarding the allegations and the alleged victim’s overall situation;
• interviews the alleged victim alone in cases involving an alleged perpetrator, but allows the alleged victim to have another person present, if requested by the alleged victim; and
• interviews the alleged victim again at a later time as necessary to resolve discrepancies.

When another person is present during the interview, the APS worker documents whether the alleged victim requested that the person be present and the person’s relationship to the alleged victim.

The APS specialist monitors the alleged victim during the interview to see if the alleged victim appears to be hesitant, withdrawn, or nervous while participating in the interview. Such cues may be indications that the alleged victim is not comfortable speaking openly in the presence of the other person.

1. Includes victims who were also perpetrators (findings of self-neglect.)

2. Victims have been unduplicated by investigation stage.

3. Some investigations were completed without region or county location information being recorded. These investigations are included in the relevant annual total, with "None Specified" as their Region and County values.

Visit dfps.state.tx.us for information on all DFPS programs.

Chapter 48, Title 2, of the Texas Human Resources Code (HRC) and Chapter 705 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) authorizes APS to investigate abuse and financial exploitation of a person age 65 or older or an adult with a disability when the person responsible for the maltreatment is a:
• caretaker;
• paid caretaker;
• family member; or
• person who has an ongoing relationship with the alleged victim. Examples include a personal friend, paramour, or roommate.
In the case of neglect, the perpetrator may also be the victim himself or herself. This is called "Self-neglect".
In cases of family violence, a protective order can be obtained from a court that prohibits a member of a family or household from remaining in the household, and from contacting or coming near the victim. The purpose of the order is to prevent that person from committing further acts of family violence against the victim.
The statutes governing family violence protective orders are set forth in Texas Family Code Chapters 71-87. This order is only available when family violence has been committed by a family member, member of the household, or in some circumstances by a person the victim has dated.

Each victim may have more than one perpetrator in an investigation.

Visit dfps.state.tx.us for information on all DFPS programs.

Chapter 48, Title 2, of the Texas Human Resources Code (HRC) and Chapter 705 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) authorizes APS to investigate abuse and financial exploitation of a person age 65 or older or an adult with a disability when the person responsible for the maltreatment is a:
• caretaker;
• paid caretaker;
• family member; or
• person who has an ongoing relationship with the alleged victim. Examples include a personal friend, paramour, or roommate.
In the case of neglect, the perpetrator may also be the victim himself or herself. This is called "Self-neglect".
In cases of family violence, a protective order can be obtained from a court that prohibits a member of a family or household from remaining in the household, and from contacting or coming near the victim. The purpose of the order is to prevent that person from committing further acts of family violence against the victim.
The statutes governing family violence protective orders are set forth in Texas Family Code Chapters 71-87. This order is only available when family violence has been committed by a family member, member of the household, or in some circumstances by a person the victim has dated.

Each victim may have more than one perpetrator at the end of an investigation.

Visit dfps.state.tx.us for information on all DFPS programs.

Chapter 48, Title 2, of the Texas Human Resources Code (HRC) and Chapter 705 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) authorizes APS to investigate abuse and financial exploitation of a person age 65 or older or an adult with a disability when the person responsible for the maltreatment is a:
• caretaker;
• paid caretaker;
• family member; or
• person who has an ongoing relationship with the alleged victim. Examples include a personal friend, paramour, or roommate.
In the case of neglect, the perpetrator may also be the victim himself or herself. This is called "Self-neglect".
In cases of family violence, a protective order can be obtained from a court that prohibits a member of a family or household from remaining in the household, and from contacting or coming near the victim. The purpose of the order is to prevent that person from committing further acts of family violence against the victim.
The statutes governing family violence protective orders are set forth in Texas Family Code Chapters 71-87. This order is only available when family violence has been committed by a family member, member of the household, or in some circumstances by a person the victim has dated.

Each victim may have more than one perpetrator in an investigation.

Visit dfps.state.tx.us for information on all DFPS programs.