1Designating the month of April 2014 as "Child Abuse Prevention
2Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Each year, more than one million children in the
4United States are documented as the victims of child abuse; and

5WHEREAS, In 2012, there were 3,565 substantiated cases of
6child abuse in this Commonwealth, with 33 children dying as a
7result of abuse and neglect; and

8WHEREAS, More than half of the perpetrators in 2012 had a
9parental relationship with the child; and

10WHEREAS, In 2010 through 2011, the Pennsylvania Coalition
11Against Rape provided services to more than 7,786 child victims
12of sexual violence; and

13WHEREAS, In 2012, 79% of substantiated reports were made by
14mandated reporters; and

15WHEREAS, Child abuse crosses all racial, economic and
16geographic boundaries; and

1WHEREAS, Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance trained more
2than 30,100 professionals and community members in 2010 through
32012; and

4WHEREAS, The damaging effects of child abuse include, but are
5not limited to, school failure, alcohol and drug abuse and
6physical and psychological difficulties; and

7WHEREAS, Child abuse can and must be prevented and awareness
8raised so that families learn they have access to community
9resources which offer support, information and guidance to help
10stop or prevent abusive behaviors or conditions; and

11WHEREAS, Many Pennsylvanians in schools, social service
12agencies, churches and neighborhood groups throughout this
13Commonwealth, including the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance
14and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, are working to
15support the victims of child abuse and prevent future abuse; and

16WHEREAS, The General Assembly enacted the Newborn Protection
17Act, or Safe Haven Law, in 2002; and

18WHEREAS, In 2003, an amendment to the Constitution of
19Pennsylvania was approved permitting child victims to testify
20electronically; and

21WHEREAS, In 2006, the General Assembly enacted a
22comprehensive child abuse reform package (Act 179), updating the
23Child Protective Services Law and lengthening the statute of
24limitations for sexual offenses against children; and

25WHEREAS, In 2011, the General Assembly enacted legislation
26(Act 111) to ensure that the Commonwealth meets federally
27mandated standards under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and
28Safety Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-248, 120 Stat. 587) by
29strengthening sex offender registration and notification; and

30WHEREAS, Also in 2011, the General Assembly created the Task

1Force on Child Protection to examine the practices, processes
2and procedures relating to the response to child abuse and
3reporting of child abuse and to make recommendations to the
4Governor and General Assembly; and

5WHEREAS, In spite of these efforts, more needs to be done to
6guarantee a childhood free of abuse and victimization to every
7child in this Commonwealth; therefore be it

8RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of April 2014
9as "Child Abuse Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it
10further

11RESOLVED, That the Senate commend those persons and community
12groups that work to treat and prevent child abuse and urge all
13Pennsylvanians to do their part in preventing the tragedy of
14child abuse.