IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 307 
Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse 
Prevention Month. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 19, 2023 
Mr. JOYCE of Ohio (for himself, Ms. KUSTER, Ms. PORTER, Mr. BACON, Ms. 
MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. PAPPAS, and Mr. COSTA) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and 
the Workforce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child 
Abuse Prevention Month. 
Whereas children are fundamental to the success of our Na-
tion and will shape the future of the United States; 
Whereas elected representatives and leaders in our commu-
nities 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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:03 Apr 20, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR307.IH
HR307
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
•HRES 307 IH 
household with a family member with a substance use 
disorder; 
Whereas at least 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death are 
associated with ACEs; 
Whereas preventing ACEs could reduce many health condi-
tions, including up to 21,000,000 cases of depression, 
1,900,000 cases of heart disease, and 2,500,000 cases of 
overweight and obesity; 
Whereas every child is filled with tremendous promise, and 
we all have a collective responsibility to prevent ACEs, 
foster the potential of every child, and promote positive 
childhood experience; 
Whereas investments in primary prevention pay off as studies 
show that the total lifetime economic burden associated 
with treating the consequences of child maltreatment is 
approximately $2,000,000,000,000; 
Whereas economic adversity has been observed as an in-
creased risk for potential abuse of children; 
Whereas, in 2021, an estimated 7,176,600 children were re-
ferred to child protective services agencies, alleging mal-
treatment; 
Whereas 2020 saw more than 21,700,000 reports of sus-
pected child sexual exploitation made to the National 
Center 
for 
Missing 
and 
Exploited 
Children’s 
CyberTipline, which marked the highest number of re-
ports ever received in 1 year; 
Whereas 84,900,000 pieces of child exploitation materials 
were reported in 2021; 
Whereas reports indicate that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys 
experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday with 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:03 Apr 20, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR307.IH
HR307
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
•HRES 307 IH 
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 prob-
lems, 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 resil-
ience 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; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:03 Apr 20, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR307.IH
HR307
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
•HRES 307 IH 
Whereas Keep Kids Safe is a survivor-centered coalition of 
organizations dedicated to preventing sexual violence 
against children and adolescents, and to healing and jus-
tice for survivors; 
Whereas this coalition includes the Monique Burr Founda-
tion, Darkness to Light, Together for Girls, the SNAP 
network, the Army of Survivors, and the National Chil-
dren’s Alliance; and 
Whereas these organizations play a critical role in preventing 
childhood abuse and child sexual abuse and helping sur-
vivors heal and seek justice: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses support for the goals and ideals of 
National Child Abuse Prevention Month; 
(2) recognizes child abuse and child sexual 
abuse is preventable and that a healthy and pros-
perous society depends on strong families and com-
munities; 
(3) supports efforts to increase the awareness 
of, and provide education for, the general public of 
the United States, related to the prevention of child 
abuse and protective factors for families; 
(4) supports the efforts to help survivors of 
childhood sexual abuse heal; 
(5) supports justice for victims of childhood 
sexual abuse; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:03 Apr 20, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR307.IH
HR307
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
•HRES 307 IH 
(6) recognizes the need for additional invest-
ments and Federal legislation for prevention, heal-
ing, and justice efforts related to childhood abuse 
and sexual abuse. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:03 Apr 20, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR307.IH
HR307
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB