119-sres184

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 184 Agreed to Senate

    (ATS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. RES. 184

 Expressing support for the designation of April 2025 as ``National 
 Child Abuse Prevention Month'', and the goals and ideals of National 
 Child Abuse Prevention Month.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 April 29, 2025

 Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mrs. Blackburn, Ms. 
Hassan, and Mr. Hickenlooper) submitted the following resolution; which 
 was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Expressing support for the designation of April 2025 as ``National 
 Child Abuse Prevention Month'', and the goals and ideals of National 
 Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Whereas children are fundamental to the success of the United States and will 
 shape the future of the United States;
Whereas elected representatives and leaders in the communities of the United 
 States must be ever vigilant and proactive in support of evidence-based 
 means to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to support families;
Whereas adverse childhood experiences (referred to in this preamble as ``ACEs'') 
 are traumatic experiences that occur during childhood with lasting 
 effects and include experiences of violence, abuse, or neglect;
Whereas at least 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death are associated with 
 ACEs;
Whereas preventing ACEs could reduce many health conditions and long-term 
 negative effects on life, opportunity, and well-being, including--

    (1) up to 21,000,000 cases of depression;

    (2) up to 1,900,000 cases of heart disease; and

    (3) up to 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 experiences;
Whereas preventing child abuse and neglect can reduce the costly lifetime 
 economic burden associated with child maltreatment;
Whereas, in 2023, an estimated 7,782,000 children were referred to child 
 protective services agencies, alleging maltreatment;
Whereas each year approximately 1 in 7 children in the United States experiences 
 child abuse, neglect, or both;
Whereas reports indicate that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys will become victims 
 of child sexual abuse before their 18th birthday;
Whereas 93 percent of child sexual abuse victims are abused by a person they 
 know and trust;
Whereas children who are sexually abused, especially when not provided 
 appropriate treatment and support, often suffer lifelong consequences, 
 such as physical and mental health challenges and higher risk of drug 
 and alcohol misuse and suicide;
Whereas, in 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's 
 CyberTipline received nearly 36,200,000 reports of suspected online 
 child sexual exploitation, a 12-percent increase from 2022, the highest 
 number of reports ever received in 1 year;
Whereas education and awareness of possible signs of child abuse and neglect 
 should be prioritized for purposes of prevention; and
Whereas, by intervening to prevent adversity and build resilience during the 
 most critical years of development of a child, voluntary, evidence-
 based, home-visiting programs have shown positive impact on--

    (1) reducing the recurrence of child abuse and neglect;

    (2) decreasing the incidence of low-birthweight babies;

    (3) improved school readiness for children; and

    (4) increased high school graduation rates: Now, therefore, be it

 Resolved, That the Senate--

    (1) supports the designation of April 2025 as ``National 
 Child Abuse Prevention Month'';

    (2) expresses support for the goals and ideals of National 
 Child Abuse Prevention Month;

    (3) recognizes that child abuse and neglect and child 
 sexual abuse are preventable, and that a healthy and prosperous 
 society depends on strong families and communities;

    (4) supports efforts to increase the awareness of, and 
 provide education for, the general public of the United States, 
 with respect to preventing child abuse and neglect and building 
 protective factors for families;

    (5) supports the efforts to help survivors of childhood 
 sexual abuse heal;

    (6) supports justice for victims of childhood sexual abuse; 
 and

    (7) recognizes the need for prevention, healing, and 
 justice efforts related to childhood abuse, neglect, and sexual 
 abuse.
 <all>