WHEREAS, Preventing child abuse and neglect means strengthening families, so that their children can thrive; and

WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect continue to pose serious threats to our nations children; and

WHEREAS, In 2017, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, 65,342 children in California were found to be victims of child abuse or neglect, and 147 children in California died as a result of child abuse or neglect; and

WHEREAS, Children who have been abused or neglected have a higher risk of developing various health problems as adults, including alcoholism, depression, drug abuse, eating disorders, obesity, suicide, and certain chronic diseases; and

WHEREAS, Californias children deserve to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment free from fear, abuse, and neglect; and

WHEREAS, Statewide, child abuse and neglect cases disproportionately involve children of color; and

WHEREAS, Effective programs succeed because of partnerships among human service agencies, community-based organizations, schools, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, and the business community; and

WHEREAS, Family resource centers continue to play a key role in preventing child abuse and neglect in their communities by being community based, family focused, and culturally sensitive collaborative organizations that provide programs and services based on the needs of families; and

WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect have long-term economic and societal costs; and

WHEREAS, Providing community-based prevention services to families whose children may be at risk of child abuse or neglect is less costly than addressing the emotional and physical damage that can result from child abuse and neglect; and

WHEREAS, Providing community-based prevention services to those families can help avoid the costs of protective services, law enforcement, the judicial system, foster care, and the treatment of adults recovering from abuse as children; and

WHEREAS, Victims of child abuse, whether the abuse is physical, sexual, or emotional, or any combination of these, should have access to a safe place to live, appropriate medical care, and counseling or mental health services; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, Prevent Child Abuse America, the Child Abuse Prevention Center, the California Family Resource Association, and other groups have organized campaigns to increase public awareness of child abuse and to promote ways to prevent child abuse; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the President of the United States issues a proclamation announcing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month; and

WHEREAS, Pinwheels are displayed to increase the awareness of child abuse and to focus on the positive message of preventing child abuse and neglect by supporting families and strengthening communities during Child Abuse Prevention Month; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby acknowledges the month of April 2021 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and encourages the people of the State of California to work together to support youth-serving child abuse prevention activities in their communities and schools during that month and throughout the year; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

ACR 66: Child Abuse Prevention Month.

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