Approximately three million children are reported abused and neglected in this country each year. In 1999, almost 100,000 news cases were reported in the State of Ohio alone. One case of child abuse is one too many. This month, as we celebrate spring, we should also take note that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. This effort helps bring the issue of child abuse to the public's attention increasing awareness of the negative effects of child abuse and how we can prevent it from happening.
Child abuse can occur in any family and community in America.
That is why we must support community programs that help to identify families at risk and intervene before abuse becomes deadly. Support for services and programs that will help to relieve the stresses on families that can sometimes lead to violence is crucial in preventing child abuse. Also, we must strengthen the partnerships among schools, social service agencies, religious organizations, law enforcement, and businesses so that child abuse prevention efforts will become more comprehensive, swift, and effective. On the legislative front, I have worked in Congress to combat child abuse. I was proud to author the Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act, which was enacted last year.