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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect is a major social problem
3in Illinois; according to the U.S. Department of Health &
4Human Services Child Maltreatment Report for 2022, 35,330
5neglect and maltreatment cases were reported in Illinois in
62022, and 1,955 child fatalities were reported nationally in
72022; and
 
8    WHEREAS, It is estimated that more than 100,000 cases of
9abuse go unreported each year; the impact of abuse on children
10manifests itself in various ways; the affected children may
11experience a range of emotional, psychological, and physical
12trauma resulting from abuse or neglect; and
 
13    WHEREAS, There are various organizations and agencies
14devoted to combatting this concern; such groups seek to
15provide preventative solutions and possible exit strategies to
16at-risk youth and victimized children; and
 
17    WHEREAS, In 1982, Congress designated June 6-12 as
18National Child Abuse Prevention Week; the following year,
19President Ronald Reagan proclaimed April to be the first
20National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a tradition that
21continues to this day; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Illinois law requires that mandated reporters,
2including most professionals employed within education,
3healthcare, law enforcement, and social work sectors, report
4suspected child neglect or abuse; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Healthcare professionals and concerned private
6parties continue to educate parents and raise awareness of
7child abuse within the State; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Effective preventative measures concerning child
9abuse succeed because of partnerships created between the
10courts, social service agencies, schools, religious
11organizations, law enforcement agencies, businesses, and
12civilian communities; the establishment of an Illinois Child
13Abuse Prevention Month would cohesively promote such
14successful partnerships aiming to eradicate the social ill of
15child abuse and neglect; and
 
16    WHEREAS, National Child Abuse Prevention Month promotes
17the social and emotional well-being of children and families
18and thus serves to acknowledge the importance of community
19cooperation throughout the nation with respect to the
20prevention of child abuse and neglect; the institution of an
21Illinois Child Abuse Prevention Month would functionally
22reiterate such principles within Illinois and would reinforce
23Illinois' commitment to educating residents and helping

 

 

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1prevent any more children from being subjected to child abuse
2and neglect; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
4ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 2024
5as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the State of Illinois.