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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 498 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 498

  Designating April 2010 as ``National Child Abuse Prevention Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 22, 2010

    Ms. Collins (for herself and Mr. Dodd) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Designating April 2010 as ``National Child Abuse Prevention Month''.

Whereas, in 2008, approximately 772,000 children were determined to be victims 
        of abuse or neglect;
Whereas, in 2008, an estimated 1,740 children died as a result of abuse or 
        neglect;
Whereas, in 2008, an estimated 80 percent of the children who died due to abuse 
        or neglect were under the age of 4;
Whereas, in 2008, of the children under the age of 4 who died due to abuse or 
        neglect, the majority were under the age of 1;
Whereas abused or neglected children have a higher risk in adulthood for 
        developing health problems, including alcoholism, depression, drug 
        abuse, eating disorders, obesity, suicide, and certain chronic diseases;
Whereas a National Institute of Justice study indicated that abused or neglected 
        children--

    (1) are 11 times more likely to be arrested for criminal behavior as 
juveniles; and

    (2) are 2.7 times more likely to be arrested for violent and criminal 
behavior as adults;

Whereas an estimated \1/3\ of abused or neglected children grow up to abuse or 
        neglect their own children;
Whereas providing community-based services to families impacted by child abuse 
        or neglect may be far less costly than--

    (1) the emotional and physical damage inflicted on children who have 
been abused or neglected;

    (2) providing to abused or neglected children services, including child 
protective, law enforcement, court, foster care, or health care services; 
or

    (3) providing treatment to adults recovering from child abuse; and

Whereas child abuse or neglect has long-term economic and societal costs: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates April 2010 as ``National Child Abuse 
        Prevention Month'';
            (2) recognizes and applauds the national and community 
        organizations that work to promote awareness about child abuse 
        or neglect, including by identifying risk factors and 
        developing prevention strategies;
            (3) supports the proclamation issued by President Obama 
        declaring April 2010 as ``National Child Abuse Prevention 
        Month''; and
            (4) should--
                    (A) increase public awareness of prevention 
                programs relating to child abuse or neglect; and
                    (B) continue to work with the States to reduce the 
                incidence of child abuse or neglect in the United 
                States.
                                 <all>
```