    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 9714 of March 29, 2018

    National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2018

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    Every child is a precious and unique gift who deserves the security of a
    loving and nurturing home. When supported by encouraging families and
    safe, strong communities, all children have the chance to reach their
    full potential and access the unlimited opportunities that our great
    Nation has to offer. To realize this truth, we must dedicate ourselves
    to the noble cause of protecting and caring for our children.

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    National Child Abuse Prevention Month is an annual reminder that not
    every home is a haven of acceptance and unconditional love. Too often,
    childhood is marred with pain, violence, neglect, and abuse, which can
    have lifelong psychological, emotional, and physical consequences. At no
    fault of their own, some children are subjected to the most depraved
    forms of child abuse and neglect, without reprieve and, sometimes,
    without any knowledge that they are being maltreated. The statistics are
    shocking: a quarter of all children experience some form of child abuse
    or neglect in their lifetime. The financial consequences of this
    depravity are dire. By some estimates, the lifetime cost of child abuse
    and neglect is $124 billion per year. The human cost--measured in lost
    development, potential, and flourishing--is incalculable.
    To improve the statistics and the well-being of our Nation's children,
    we must become more aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and
    take action as necessary. We should not allow pride or discomfort to
    prevent us from helping a child who is truly suffering. We must be a
    Nation committed to taking action in the face of adversity and
    uncertainty, particularly when done to enhance the safety or security of
    children.
    The Child Welfare Information Gateway (CWIG) notes that children who
    show sudden changes in behavior, who have not received treatment for
    physical or medical problems brought to their parents' attention, or who
    are always watchful, as if preparing for something bad to happen, may be
    exhibiting signs of child abuse. Though the presence of one or some of
    these signs alone does not necessarily mean that a child has been the
    victim of child abuse or neglect, it is vital that we understand and
    remain vigilant for these indicators. As Americans we must do all that
    we can.
    This month, we honor the professionals, volunteers, and organizations
    who work tirelessly to protect at-risk children and care for those who
    have experienced abuse or neglect. This difficult work is critical to
    ensuring the safety and protection of our children, to strengthening our
    communities, and to stopping cycles of violence harm. There are no
    substitutes for caring parents and guardians. But we recognize that
    friends, neighbors, educators, and places of worship have important
    roles to play in fostering the well-being of children. We are especially
    grateful to foster and adoptive parents, who open their lives to
    children in need of loving and caring homes. We can and should continue
    to work together to help provide healthy, happy, and safe environments
    for all children.
    We must always remember that all children are blessings from our
    Creator. They are endowed from conception with value, purpose, and human
    dignity. They are a source of unmatched joy, and they represent our
    Nation's future. It is thus our civic and moral responsibility to help
    every child experience a childhood free from abuse and mistreatment,
    guiding them toward a future full of hope and promise. I encourage all
    Americans to nurture the children in their lives and to extend a hand to
    those in need of love, protection, or even just attention. Only together
    can we put an end to the tragedy of child abuse and neglect. I am
    confident that our combined efforts in combatting these evils will help
    create a world that is more tender, compassionate, and inviting to our
    children for centuries to come.

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    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 2018 as National
    Child Abuse Prevention Month. I call upon all Americans to invest in the
    lives of our Nation's children, to be aware of their safety and well-
    being, and to support efforts that promote their psychological,
    physical, and emotional development.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of
    March, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    second.
    DONALD J. TRUMP