[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5053-5054]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 127--DESIGNATING APRIL 2011 AS ``NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE 
                           PREVENTION MONTH''

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

                              S. Res. 127

       Whereas in 2009, approximately 702,000 children were 
     determined to be victims of abuse or neglect;
       Whereas in 2009, an estimated 1,770 children died as a 
     result of abuse or neglect;
       Whereas in 2009, an estimated 80.8 percent of the children 
     who died due to abuse or neglect were under the age of 4;
       Whereas in 2009, of the children under the age of 4 who 
     died due to abuse or neglect, 46.2 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 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 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 2011 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 2011 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.

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise 
today to submit a resolution recognizing National Child Abuse 
Prevention Month. I am honored to be joined by an advocate for 
children, Senator Kerry, in turning a spotlight on the issue of child 
abuse and neglect in this country. Senator Kerry and I share a common 
belief that children should be valued and nurtured by both their 
families and all of us.
  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 2009 Child Maltreatment Study compiled by the 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

[[Page 5054]]

during 2009, an estimated 702,000 children were determined to be 
victims of abuse or neglect, and an estimated 1,770 children died as a 
result.
  Last year I became aware of yet another tragic case of child abuse. 
Maine was mourning the death of 15-month old Damien Lynn. Autopsy 
reports show that little Damien had broken bones and ribs, head and 
abdominal injuries, and a human bite mark on his right arm. This year 
the former boyfriend of Damien's mother will face the consequences of 
his actions, and I am proud to introduce this resolution again in 
Damien's memory.
  The time has come for Americans to unite in an all-out effort to 
eradicate child abuse. National 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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