[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 679 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 679

  Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse 
                           Prevention Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 8, 2024

  Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mr. Casey, Mrs. Blackburn, and Ms. Hassan) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse 
                           Prevention Month.

Whereas children are fundamental to the success of the United States and will 
        shape the future of the United States;
Whereas elected representatives and leaders in the communities of the United 
        States must be ever vigilant and proactive in support of evidence-based 
        means to prevent child abuse and neglect and support families;
Whereas adverse childhood experiences (referred to in this preamble as ``ACEs'') 
        are traumatic experiences that occur during childhood with lasting 
        effects and include experiences of violence, abuse, or neglect;
Whereas at least 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death are associated with 
        ACEs;
Whereas preventing ACEs could reduce many health conditions, including--

    (1) up to 21,000,000 cases of depression;

    (2) up to 1,900,000 cases of heart disease; and

    (3) up to 2,500,000 cases of overweight and obesity;

Whereas every child is filled with tremendous promise, and we all have a 
        collective responsibility to prevent ACEs, foster the potential of every 
        child, and promote positive childhood experiences;
Whereas primary prevention of child abuse and neglect can reduce the lifetime 
        economic burden associated with child maltreatment;
Whereas, in 2022, an estimated 7,530,000 children were referred to child 
        protective services agencies, alleging maltreatment;
Whereas, in 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's 
        CyberTipline received nearly 32,000,000 reports of suspected online 
        child sexual exploitation, which marked the highest number of reports 
        ever received in 1 year;
Whereas reports indicate that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys experience sexual 
        abuse before their eighteenth birthday, with more than 42,000,000 
        estimated child sexual abuse survivors in the United States;
Whereas approximately 1 in 7 children in the United States experienced child 
        abuse, neglect, or both between 2022 and 2023;
Whereas 43 percent of children exposed to inappropriate sexual content on social 
        media are under 13 years old, and 1 in 5 are 9 years old or younger;
Whereas 91 percent of child sexual abuse victims are abused by a person they 
        know and trust;
Whereas children who are sexually abused, especially when not provided 
        appropriate treatment and support, often suffer lifelong consequences, 
        such as physical and mental health challenges and higher risk of drug 
        and alcohol misuse and suicide;
Whereas education and awareness of possible signs of child abuse and neglect 
        should be prioritized for purposes of prevention;
Whereas by intervening to prevent adversity and build resilience during the most 
        critical years of development of a child, voluntary, evidence-based, 
        home-visiting programs have shown positive impact on--

    (1) reducing the recurrence of child abuse and neglect;

    (2) decreased low-birthweight babies;

    (3) improved school readiness for children; and

    (4) increased high school graduation rates: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) expresses support for the goals and ideals of National 
        Child Abuse Prevention Month;
            (2) recognizes child abuse and neglect and child sexual 
        abuse are preventable and that a healthy and prosperous society 
        depends on strong families and communities;
            (3) supports efforts to increase the awareness of, and 
        provide education for, the general public of the United States, 
        with respect to preventing child abuse and neglect and building 
        protective factors for families;
            (4) supports the efforts to help survivors of childhood 
        sexual abuse heal;
            (5) supports justice for victims of childhood sexual abuse; 
        and
            (6) recognizes the need for prevention, healing, and 
        justice efforts related to childhood abuse and neglect and 
        sexual abuse.
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