Reported Abuse Of A Child And My Family Retaliated. How Do I Protect The Kids?

I’m sharing this for awareness, but also because I genuinely need advice on what to do next.

Location: Texas

I reported sexual abuse involving a child in my family. I didn’t hesitate. I reported it immediately because staying silent was not an option, especially knowing what that kind of harm can do to a child.

For context, I did not grow up in a safe environment. The people involved have been abusive toward me for most of my life, emotionally, physically, and sexually. The person I reported is the same person who sexually abused me.

After the report was made, my family found out that I was the one who spoke up.

Things escalated quickly. What started as confrontation turned into physical violence. My mother lunged at me and tried to strangle me. I fought her off, and during that, my brother’s girlfriend began stomping on me while I was on the ground trying to defend myself.

I managed to get away and got into my car to call 911. While I was inside my vehicle, my brother fired multiple shots into it, emptying an entire magazine while I was still in the car.

It didn’t feel like a reaction. It felt like retaliation. Like I was being punished for reporting something they wanted to keep hidden.

I’m still processing what happened, but what weighs on me the most isn’t what was done to me, it’s the children still in that environment. If this is how they reacted to being reported, I am deeply concerned about what is happening behind closed doors.

I don’t regret reporting it. I would do it again. But I feel stuck now. I don’t know what else I can do that would actually help protect those kids without making things worse or putting myself in more danger.

TO BE CLEAR: I did report to CPS, 3 Therapists that I’m seeing also reported to CPS. And I am pressing charges against my mother, my brother and his girlfriend. Right now all I can do is wait for a trial.

For anyone who has experience with situations like this:

* Is there a way to follow up on a report or make sure it’s taken seriously?

* Are there additional steps I can take to advocate for those children safely?

I want to do what actually helps.

Any guidance would be appreciated.