[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 59 (Tuesday, April 24, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2658-S2659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 433--DESIGNATING APRIL 2012 AS ``NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE 
                           PREVENTION MONTH''

  Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. Kerry) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 433

       Whereas in 2010, approximately 695,000 children were 
     determined to be victims of abuse or neglect;
       Whereas in 2010, more than 1,530 children died as a result 
     of abuse or neglect;
       Whereas in 2010, an estimated 79.4 percent of the children 
     who died due to abuse or neglect were under the age of 4;
       Whereas in 2010, of the children under the age of 4 who 
     died due to abuse or neglect, 47.7 percent were under the age 
     of 1;
       Whereas abused or neglected children have a higher risk for 
     developing health problems in adulthood, including 
     alcoholism, depression, drug abuse, eating disorders, 
     obesity, suicide, and certain chronic diseases;
       Whereas a National Institute of Justice study indicated 
     that abused or neglected children--
       (1) are 11 times more likely to be arrested for criminal 
     behavior as juveniles; and
       (2) are 2.7 times more likely to be arrested for violent 
     and criminal behavior as adults;
       Whereas an estimated one-third of abused or neglected 
     children grow up to abuse or neglect their own children;
       Whereas providing community-based services to families 
     impacted by child abuse or neglect may be far less costly 
     than--
       (1) the emotional and physical damage inflicted on children 
     who have been abused or neglected;

[[Page S2659]]

       (2) providing other services to abused or neglected 
     children, including child protective, law enforcement, court, 
     foster care, or health care services; or
       (3) providing treatment to adults recovering from child 
     abuse; and
       Whereas child abuse and neglect have long-term economic and 
     societal costs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates April 2012 as ``National Child Abuse 
     Prevention Month'';
       (2) recognizes and applauds the national and community 
     organizations that work to promote awareness about child 
     abuse and neglect, including by identifying risk factors and 
     developing prevention strategies;
       (3) supports the proclamation issued by President Obama 
     declaring April 2012 to be ``National Child Abuse Prevention 
     Month''; and
       (4) should increase public awareness of prevention programs 
     relating to child abuse and neglect, and continue to work 
     with States to reduce the incidence of child abuse and 
     neglect in the United States.

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