The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Collin County is highlighting the growing need for vigilance regarding child safety as the region experiences significant demographic expansion. Dan Powers, the organization’s chief executive, noted that the center has observed a substantial rise in children requiring its services, a trend linked to the area’s ongoing population boom.
Collin County is among the fastest-growing regions in the nation, a shift that has driven demand for recreational infrastructure and inadvertently increased opportunities for abuse. While Texas ranks first in the percentage of high school students participating in athletics, it trails other states in overall youth sports involvement. This dynamic has led to a proliferation of local and out-of-state youth sports organizations across the county.
Cities such as McKinney have responded to this surge by expanding facilities; last year, the city invested $80 million in new athletic fields and infrastructure. Despite these efforts, advocates emphasize that parents must remain alert to potential dangers within these environments.
Data from the U.S. Center for SafeSport indicates that more than half of all athletes will experience some form of abuse before reaching age 18, with up to 10 percent of those incidents being sexual in nature. Powers stated that it remains difficult to determine exactly how many young athletes in the county are at risk.
Powers, who brings nearly four decades of experience in combating child abuse, explained that predators often seek positions of authority to gain access to children. He pointed out that coaches and other adults in sports roles have significant access to youth, which can be exploited if boundaries are not maintained.
Warning signs include boundary violations such as isolating a child from teammates or family, texting outside of practice hours, or fostering what appears to be a "special relationship." Powers noted that offenders may use favoritism as a grooming tool to get closer to children who desire success in their sports.
