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PRINTER'S NO. 1583
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
274
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY BROOKS, J. WARD, BARTOLOTTA, FONTANA, CAPPELLETTI,
COLLETT, MARTIN, COMITTA, KANE, MENSCH, SANTARSIERO AND
SCAVELLO, APRIL 12, 2022
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, APRIL 12, 2022
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of April 2022 as "Child Abuse Prevention
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Each year, more than 4 million abuse and neglect
referrals are made to child protection agencies involving more
than 4.3 million children in the United States; and
WHEREAS, In 2020, there were 4,593 substantiated cases of
child abuse in this Commonwealth, with 73 children dying as a
direct result of abuse and neglect and 115 children nearly
losing their lives; and
WHEREAS, These tragic numbers reflect the unsettling reality
that thousands of 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 difficult to combat; and
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic, service interruptions and
Statewide virtual schooling aided in this crisis by decreasing
the number and frequency of our teachers, friends and the public
having eyes on our children, catching warning signs of abuse and
intervening to prevent deaths; and
WHEREAS, The heroin and opioid epidemic, which continues to
claim the lives of 14 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
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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 2022
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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