TITLE: Recognizing April 2019 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 2019 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, While children are vital to our state's future success, prosperity, and quality of life, they are also the most vulnerable members of society; and WHEREAS, In 2018, there were more than 66,000 Texas children who were confirmed as victims of child abuse and neglect, and more than 20,600 Texas children were removed from their homes as a result of abuse; in addition, there were 211 child fatalities due to abuse and neglect; and WHEREAS, In the past five years, 75 percent of child fatalities due to abuse and neglect occurred in children who were three years old or younger; and WHEREAS, The short-term and long-term costs of child abuse and neglect incurred through medical treatment, foster care, law enforcement proceedings, mental health care, special education, juvenile delinquency, and lost productivity are estimated at $830,928 per victim; these costs to Texans amounted to over $55 billion for child maltreatment in 2018; and WHEREAS, Child maltreatment also carries enormous negative societal consequences, including mental illness, substance abuse, developmental delays, teen pregnancy, academic underachievement, criminal behavior, unemployment, poverty, and chronic disease; and WHEREAS, All children deserve to have the safe, stable, nurturing homes and communities that are necessary for fostering their healthy growth and development; and WHEREAS, Child abuse is a state and community problem, and successfully protecting children depends upon investments in evidence-based prevention and the support and encouragement that citizens throughout the community offer parents and other caregivers; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby recognize that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month; and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Senate call upon all citizens, elected officials, community agencies, religious organizations, medical facilities, schools, and businesses to increase their participation in efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect and to advocate for investments in child abuse prevention and in the health, safety, and livelihood of all Texans. West President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 8, 2019.