Thank you for contacting Justice for Children. Justice for Children (JFC) is a national nonprofit organization committed to advocating for children who are victims of criminal abuse, yet are failed by the governmental systems designed to protect them.

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our organization before completing these forms. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity in the provision of services or employment. Our area of advocacy is focused exclusively on the abused child. When determining whether JFC is the right agency for the child’s situation, please consider the following JFC does not substitute for Law Enforcement or CPS as lead investigative agencies where child abuse has been alleged. We are an advocacy organization, not a governmental one. Our clients are children who have already been deemed victims of abuse by the appropriate authorities yet still remain unprotected from their abusers or where the authorities have failed to conduct a proper investigation and have taken no action to protect the child.

There are several governmental entities that are involved in the investigation and/or assessment of child abuse: Law Enforcement; CPS; the District Attorney’s Office; Family or Juvenile Courts; and Criminal Courts (collectively, “The System.”) Our role at Justice for Children is to learn the facts of the case, determine where the System has broken down and why, try to get the case back on track by addressing the problem with the source and educating the source with the evidence and expertise we have in child abuse. JFC intervenes in cases of criminal child abuse; though, the source of the problem may lie in the civil courts (i.e., the Juvenile of Family Courts.) JFC becomes involved in cases of neglect on a case-by-case basis. JFC intervenes in custody/visitation disputes only when the children involved are victims of criminal child abuse.

JFC advocates for the best interests of the child. By necessity, however, this may mean that we are assisting a protective parent or grandparent to obtain custody. In order for a case to be considered by JFC, we must be in possession of supporting documentation of the abuse from law enforcement, medical or mental health personnel, or the state agency responsible for the protection of children. As a third party, JFC does not have the authority to obtain any of this documentation, it must be provided to us at intake. Exceptions cannot be made to the above criterion.

If you are unsure as to whether or not JFC will be able to assist the child’s current circumstance, please call us at 713-225-4357. The enclosed forms are necessary and must be received in completion in order for JFC to open a case.

Please complete the following and a JFC representative will contact you within 2 business days.

Please note: Federal law prohibits the production, distribution, reception, and possession of an image of child pornography using or affecting any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce (See 18 U.S.C. § 2251; 18 U.S.C. § 2252; 18 U.S.C. § 2252A). Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code, defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (someone under 18 years of age).  The legal definition of sexually explicit conduct does not require that an image depict a child engaging in sexual activity.  A picture of a naked child may constitute illegal child pornography if it is sufficiently sexually suggestive.  Any photos, videos, or other forms of media that contain or appear to contain inappropriate depictions of children will not be accepted.  This includes nudity of any kind, children being made to engage in sexual contact (either by performing sexual acts or having sexual acts performed on them.) Should you disseminate this evidence to anyone, including Justice for Children, could put you at risk for being prosecuted for state and/or federal felony Possession or Promotion of Child Pornography.  Justice for Children will not consider intervening in any case where these materials have been sent to us.

Please note: Federal law prohibits the travel or flight of people with the intent to avoid prosecution for a crime that is a felony in the state from which the fugitive flees (See 18 U.S.C. § 1073).  If you are a protective parent attempting to keep your child(ren) safe from abuse but flee your state with your child(ren) in violation of a standing custody order, you could be prosecuted for federal Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution and other state crimes.  If you seek Justice for Children’s help in this scenario, you cannot provide us with your phone number, the address where you are staying, or the identity of anyone assisting you.  Justice for Children is also limited in its ability to help you in this circumstance but may be able to connect you with resources such as lawyers who can assist.