[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, in recognition of April as Nation Child 
Abuse Prevention Month, I rise to voice my support for the efforts 
being made by millions of Americans to defend children against the 
destructive effects of abuse.
  Whether the abuse is physical or emotional, the consequences of it on 
the lives of young people are well documented. Since 1976, the number 
of reported child victims of abuse has increased from 670,000 to close 
to 2.7 million in 1991. Estimates indicate that in 1991, four children 
per day, or a total of nearly 1,400 children, died as a result of abuse 
or neglect. One reason for this increase may be that more cases are 
being reported than before, but we also know that there are thousands 
of other children, especially in situations of sexual abuse, whose 
problems go unreported and in some cases unnoticed.
  Other consequences of early childhood abuse and neglect include: poor 
educational performance, health problems, and generally low levels of 
achievement.
  We are all aware of the ``cycle of violence'' in which an abused 
child often gets trapped. A child caught in this vicious cycle has a 
much greater chance of committing violent crimes and abusing his or her 
own children as an adult. A study sponsored by the National Institute 
of Justice found that being abused or neglected as a child increased 
the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 53 percent, as an adult by 38 
percent, and for a violent crime by 38 percent.
  In this time when the American people are more aware and more fearful 
than ever of becoming a victim of violent crime, one way of ensuring 
that many would-be criminals don't commit their first crime would be by 
continuing to support the efforts being made to help these innocent 
victims before they are damaged to the point where they can no longer 
be recovered. With our assistance, many of the potentially great 
children of America can be rescued from a future of crime, violence, 
and despair and given the chance to reach their full potential.
  Many Americans have already jumped to the defense of children. Next 
month, Childhelp USA, a children's advocacy organization, will be 
honoring over 100 businesses, both small and large, which have donated 
time, facilities, and financial resources for programs within their 
communities that inure to the benefit of children. I wish to join in 
commending these exemplary private sector initiatives.
  I urge other businesses and local organizations to consider ways of 
addressing the unmet needs of children in their communities. While I 
firmly support Federal efforts such as Head Start, child abuse 
prevention, school lunch, and other programs focused on children, it is 
important to realize that the Federal Government cannot successfully 
identify or resolve every local problem. We must have the active 
participation of citizens everywhere in order to guarantee that 
America's future--its children--is protected and nurtured.

                          ____________________