[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1097 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                        April 16, 2008.
Whereas in 2006, an estimated 905,000 children were determined to be victims of 
        abuse or neglect out of an estimated 6,100,000 children referred for 
        investigations and assessments;
Whereas the number of children who received an investigation or assessment by 
        Child Protective Services increased by 333,000 from 2002 to 2006;
Whereas in 2006, an estimated 1,530 children died tragically as a result of 
        abuse or neglect;
Whereas some of the most vulnerable children in our Nation are the most likely 
        to be maltreated, with the youngest suffering the highest rate of 
        victimization and children with disabilities also experiencing a high 
        risk of maltreatment;
Whereas 91,278 of the victims of abuse and neglect had not yet reached their 
        first birthday, with more than 84 percent being less than a month old;
Whereas children who are abused or neglected are at higher risk in adulthood for 
        health problems such as alcoholism, depression, drug abuse, eating 
        disorders, obesity, suicide, and certain chronic diseases;
Whereas a National Institute of Justice study indicated abuse or neglect during 
        childhood increased the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 59 percent 
        and adult criminal behavior by 28 percent;
Whereas it is estimated that approximately one-third of abused and neglected 
        children grow up to victimize their own children;
Whereas 25 percent of children maltreated in 2006 had prior history of 
        victimization.
Whereas child abuse and neglect can have long-term economic and societal costs;
Whereas community-based services to overburdened families are far less costly 
        than the emotional and physical damage inflicted on children or the 
        costs of child protective services, law enforcement, courts, foster 
        care, health care, and the treatment of adults recovering from child 
        abuse;
Whereas the annual estimated cost to the United States for not preventing child 
        abuse and neglect is approximately $104,000,000,000, according to a 2008 
        report by Prevent Child Abuse America;
Whereas child protection agencies are unable to provide important follow-up 
        services such as counseling or case management to 40 percent of the 
        abused and neglected children on their caseloads; and
Whereas it is appropriate to designate the month of April 2008, as National 
        Child Abuse Prevention Month: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses support for the designation of National Child Abuse 
        Prevention Month;
            (2) should increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect 
        prevention and should continue to work with the States to reduce the 
        incidence of child abuse and neglect; and
            (3) should recognize that child abuse and neglect prevention 
        programs reduce child maltreatment, strengthen families, reduce mental 
        illness, deter criminal behavior, and contribute to children's positive 
        emotional, academic, social, and cognitive development.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.