[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 3, 2024)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 22887-22888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07189]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 89 , No. 65 / Wednesday, April 3, 2024 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 22887]]


                Proclamation 10718 of March 29, 2024

                
National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2024

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                There is no greater sin than the abuse of power, 
                especially when that abuse is directed at a child. 
                During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we stand 
                together to prevent abuse and neglect, support brave 
                survivors, and build strong communities and families 
                where every child can grow up happy and safe.

                For far too many children across America, the violence, 
                fear, and intimidation associated with physical and 
                emotional abuse define their most formative years. The 
                emotional scars can last a lifetime, making it hard to 
                form healthy relationships, upending their futures, and 
                perpetuating a toxic cycle of abuse. As a United States 
                Senator, I fought to change that by writing and 
                championing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the 
                first law of its kind, which helped secure safety and 
                justice for women and children impacted by domestic 
                violence. Since then, each time we reauthorized VAWA, 
                we have made it stronger--including in 2022, when we 
                increased authorized resources available to children 
                who have been exposed to domestic violence and extended 
                greater jurisdiction to Tribal Courts prosecuting child 
                abuse cases on their own lands.

                We are also working to prevent abuse and give survivors 
                the resources they need to heal and thrive. The 
                American Rescue Plan invested $350 million in improving 
                child protective services at the State level and in 
                expanding local child abuse prevention programs. In 
                2022, I signed a bill that eliminates the Federal 
                statute of limitations for civil claims filed by 
                survivors of child sexual abuse so they can still 
                pursue justice as adults. The Department of Justice is 
                also investing in Children's Advocacy Centers across 
                the country to help law enforcement investigate and 
                prosecute child sexual abuse and exploitation, 
                including acts committed online. The Department of 
                Homeland Security is launching a Government-led 
                campaign to combat the threat of child abuse and 
                exploitation online, which will bring awareness to this 
                growing threat; teach children, parents, caregivers, 
                and educators how to report these crimes; and offer 
                resources to survivors.

                Every child in America deserves to grow up safe, 
                supported, and surrounded by love. This month, we 
                remember that we all play a part in making that real. 
                For more information on how to recognize and report 
                child abuse or neglect and to support loving families 
                and safe communities visit childwelfare.gov.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2024 as 
                National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I call upon all 
                Americans to observe this month by joining together as 
                a Nation to promote the safety and well-being of all 
                children and families and to recognize the child 
                welfare professionals and allies who work tirelessly to 
                protect our children. Let us also honor the strength 
                and resilience of survivors of child abuse.

[[Page 22888]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                eighth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2024-07189
Filed 4-2-24; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P