110 HRES 1097 EH: Expressing support for the designation of U.S. House of Representatives 2008-04-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1097 In the House of Representatives, U. S., April 16, 2008 RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of the month of April 2008, as National Child Abuse Prevention Month to provide attention to the tragic circumstances that face some of our Nation’s children on a daily basis and to underscore our commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect so that all children can live in safety and security.

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

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.

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.