SR0802 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0802 LRB103 39705 ECR 70137 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect is a major social problem in Illinois; according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Child Maltreatment Report for 2022, 35,330 neglect and maltreatment cases were reported in Illinois in 2022, and 1,955 child fatalities were reported nationally in 2022; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that more than 100,000 cases of abuse go unreported each year; the impact of abuse on children manifests itself in various ways; the affected children may experience a range of emotional, psychological, and physical trauma resulting from abuse or neglect; and

WHEREAS, There are various organizations and agencies devoted to combatting this concern; such groups seek to provide preventative solutions and possible exit strategies to at-risk youth and victimized children; and

WHEREAS, In 1982, Congress designated June 6-12 as National Child Abuse Prevention Week; the following year, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed April to be the first National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a tradition that continues to this day; and

WHEREAS, Illinois law requires that mandated reporters, including most professionals employed within education, healthcare, law enforcement, and social work sectors, report suspected child neglect or abuse; and

WHEREAS, Healthcare professionals and concerned private parties continue to educate parents and raise awareness of child abuse within the State; and

WHEREAS, Effective preventative measures concerning child abuse succeed because of partnerships created between the courts, social service agencies, schools, religious organizations, law enforcement agencies, businesses, and civilian communities; the establishment of an Illinois Child Abuse Prevention Month would cohesively promote such successful partnerships aiming to eradicate the social ill of child abuse and neglect; and

WHEREAS, National Child Abuse Prevention Month promotes the social and emotional well-being of children and families and thus serves to acknowledge the importance of community cooperation throughout the nation with respect to the prevention of child abuse and neglect; the institution of an Illinois Child Abuse Prevention Month would functionally reiterate such principles within Illinois and would reinforce Illinois' commitment to educating residents and helping prevent any more children from being subjected to child abuse and neglect; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 2024 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the State of Illinois.