Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Whereas children are fundamental to the success of our Nation and will shape the future of the United States; Whereas elected representatives and leaders in our communities must be ever vigilant and proactive in support of evidence-based means to prevent child abuse and support families; Whereas adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic experiences that occur during childhood with lasting long-term effects and include experiences such as child abuse and neglect, witnessing violence, or growing up in a household with a family member with a substance use disorder; Whereas at least 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death are associated with ACEs; Whereas preventing ACEs could reduce many health conditions, including up to 21,000,000 cases of depression, 1,900,000 cases of heart disease, and 2,500,000 cases of overweight and obesity; Whereas every child is filled with tremendous promise, and we all have a collective responsibility to prevent ACEs, foster the potential of every child, and promote positive childhood experience; Whereas investments in primary prevention pay off as studies show that the total lifetime economic burden associated with treating the consequences of child maltreatment is approximately $2,000,000,000,000; Whereas economic adversity has been observed as an increased risk for potential abuse of children; Whereas, in 2021, an estimated 7,176,600 children were referred to child protective services agencies, alleging maltreatment; Whereas 2020 saw more than 21,700,000 reports of suspected child sexual exploitation made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline, which marked the highest number of reports ever received in 1 year; Whereas 84,900,000 pieces of child exploitation materials were reported in 2021; Whereas reports indicate that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday with 42,000,000 estimated child sexual abuse survivors in the United States; Whereas approximately 1 in 7 children in the United States has experienced child abuse, neglect, or both during the past year; Whereas 1 in 5 children has received a sexual approach or solicitation on the internet during the past year; Whereas 70 percent of child sexual abuse victims reported perpetration by a juvenile offender, often an acquaintance and 91 percent of victims are abused by a person they know and trust; Whereas children who are sexually abused, when not provided appropriate treatment, often suffer from lifelong problems, such as physical and mental health issues, and higher risk of drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide; Whereas children who are abused or neglected are more likely to be arrested for delinquent behavior as juveniles; Whereas children who have experienced abuse are more likely to be arrested for violent and criminal behavior as adults; Whereas education and awareness of possible signs of child abuse should be prioritized for purposes of prevention; Whereas, by intervening to prevent adversity and build resilience during a child’s most critical years of development, voluntary, evidence-based, home-visiting programs like Healthy Families America, the signature home-visiting program of Prevent Child Abuse America, have shown positive impact on reducing the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, decreased low-birthweight babies, improved school readiness for children, and increased high school graduation rates for parents; Whereas Keep Kids Safe is a survivor-centered coalition of organizations dedicated to preventing sexual violence against children and adolescents, and to healing and justice for survivors; Whereas this coalition includes the Monique Burr Foundation, Darkness to Light, Together for Girls, the SNAP network, the Army of Survivors, and the National Children’s Alliance; and Whereas these organizations play a critical role in preventing childhood abuse and child sexual abuse and helping survivors heal and seek justice: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month; (2) recognizes child abuse and child sexual abuse is preventable and that a healthy and prosperous society depends on strong families and communities; (3) supports efforts to increase the awareness of, and provide education for, the general public of the United States, related to the prevention of child abuse and protective factors for families; (4) supports the efforts to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse heal; (5) supports justice for victims of childhood sexual abuse; and (6) recognizes the need for additional investments and Federal legislation for prevention, healing, and justice efforts related to childhood abuse and sexual abuse.

Summary: This resolution expresses support for National Child Abuse Prevention Month.