[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6177]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 498--DESIGNATING APRIL 2010 AS ``NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE 
                           PREVENTION MONTH''

  Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. Dodd) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 498

       Whereas, in 2008, approximately 772,000 children were 
     determined to be victims of abuse or neglect;
       Whereas, in 2008, an estimated 1,740 children died as a 
     result of abuse or neglect;
       Whereas, in 2008, an estimated 80 percent of the children 
     who died due to abuse or neglect were under the age of 4;
       Whereas, in 2008, of the children under the age of 4 who 
     died due to abuse or neglect, the majority were under the age 
     of 1;
       Whereas abused or neglected children have a higher risk in 
     adulthood for developing health problems, 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 1/3 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;
       (2) providing to abused or neglected children services, 
     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 or neglect has long-term economic and 
     societal costs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates April 2010 as ``National Child Abuse 
     Prevention Month'';
       (2) recognizes and applauds the national and community 
     organizations that work to promote awareness about child 
     abuse or neglect, including by identifying risk factors and 
     developing prevention strategies;
       (3) supports the proclamation issued by President Obama 
     declaring April 2010 as ``National Child Abuse Prevention 
     Month''; and
       (4) should--
       (A) increase public awareness of prevention programs 
     relating to child abuse or neglect; and
       (B) continue to work with the States to reduce the 
     incidence of child abuse or neglect in the United States.

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise 
today to submit a resolution recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. 
I am honored to be joined by a longtime advocate of children, Senator 
Dodd, in turning a spotlight on the issue of child abuse and neglect in 
this country. Senator Dodd and I share a common belief that children 
should be valued and nurtured by both their families and the larger 
family of humankind.
  The effort to address child abuse transcends ideological and partisan 
lines. This is not a Democratic or Republican issue--this is an 
American issue--one that we can't wish away, but that we must face head 
on and work to eradicate.
  Abuse of children occurs in all segments of our society, in rural, 
suburban, and urban areas and among all racial, ethnic, and income 
groups. According to the 2008 Child Maltreatment Study compiled by the 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, during 2008, an estimated 
772,000 children were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect, and 
an estimated 1,740 children died as a result.
  My home State of Maine is mourning the death of 15-month old Damien 
Lynn, who was allegedly murdered by his mother's boyfriend. Autopsy 
reports show that little Damien had broken bones and ribs, head and 
abdominal injuries, and a human bite mark on his right arm. It is in 
Damien's memory, and that of the thousands of children who are abused 
and neglected each year, that I come to the floor today.
  The time has come for Americans to unite in an all-out effort to 
eradicate child abuse. Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity 
for communities across the country to keep children safe, provide the 
support families need to stay together, and raise children and youth to 
be happy, secure, and stable adults.
  To paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, ``You can judge a society by how they 
treat their weakest members.'' This resolution is sad commentary that 
we have to do more to protect those who are in the dawn of life, the 
most vulnerable among us, our children.

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