PRINTER'S NO. 1668
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
323
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY BROOKS, FONTANA, BREWSTER, ARGALL, DINNIMAN,
SCHWANK, BARTOLOTTA, MARTIN, BROWNE, FARNESE, EICHELBERGER,
RESCHENTHALER, SABATINA, WARD, COSTA, WHITE, SCAVELLO,
RAFFERTY, VOGEL, HUTCHINSON, FOLMER, STREET, KILLION, MENSCH,
VULAKOVICH, YUDICHAK, AUMENT AND HUGHES, APRIL 18, 2018
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 18, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of April 2018 as "Child Abuse Prevention
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Each year, more than 1 million children in the
United States are documented as the victims of child abuse; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, there were 4,416 substantiated cases of
child abuse in this Commonwealth, with 46 children dying as a
direct result of abuse and neglect and 79 children nearly losing
their lives; and
WHEREAS, These tragic numbers reflect the unsettling reality
that thousands of young children in this Commonwealth go to bed
hurt, hungry, cold and alone or live every day in fear of the
very people who should be protecting them; and
WHEREAS, Although the General Assembly has passed measures in
recent years to bolster screening for caregivers, improve
reporting, stiffen penalties and fortify investigations, child
abuse and neglect remain, and the secretiveness which surrounds
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child abuse and neglect in far too many families in this
Commonwealth is especially hard to combat; and
WHEREAS, The heroin and opioid epidemic, which continues to
claim the lives of 13 Pennsylvanians every day, often victimizes
the children of parents struggling with addiction, with infants
and young children frequently left unsupervised and unsupported
in the most unsafe and unsanitary of conditions; and
WHEREAS, Child abuse crosses all racial, economic and
geographic boundaries; and
WHEREAS, The damaging effects of child abuse include school
failure, alcohol and drug abuse and physical and psychological
difficulties; and
WHEREAS, Child abuse can and must be prevented and awareness
raised so that families can learn that they have access to
community resources which offer support, information and
guidance to help stop or prevent abusive behaviors or
conditions; and
WHEREAS, By working to enhance awareness of child abuse and
prevent and end abusive behaviors and environments, we
demonstrate our collective commitment to breaking the vicious
cycle of abuse and creating a safe, nurturing, loving
environment for every infant and child in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Many Pennsylvanians in schools, social service
agencies, churches and neighborhood groups throughout this
Commonwealth are working to support the victims of child abuse
and prevent future abuse; and
WHEREAS, In spite of these efforts, more needs to be done to
guarantee a childhood free of abuse and victimization to every
child in this Commonwealth; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of April 2018
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as "Child Abuse Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Senate commend the individuals, agencies,
churches and community groups that work to treat and prevent
child abuse and urge all Pennsylvanians to do their part in
preventing the tragedy of child abuse.
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