[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