HR1024 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1024 LRB096 21272 GRL 37185 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The month of April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising community awareness about child abuse and neglect prevention; and

WHEREAS, There is mounting evidence that validates the connection between child abuse and neglect and animal abuse and neglect; and

WHEREAS, Empirical research has revealed that animal abuse in the home is an indicator of other forms of violence in the home; the utilization of this indicator of domestic violence facilitates law enforcement and prosecutor action; and

WHEREAS, Enforcement action against a perpetrator of animal abuse and neglect has the effect of generating evidence against the perpetrator of violence against children; and

WHEREAS, This cross-reporting initiative validates the occurrence of both domestic violence and animal abuse in the home; and

WHEREAS, Caring individuals and groups within our State are launching an initiative to increase awareness of animal cruelty in our communities so that the citizens of this State can recognize and join the fight against such abuse; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the month of April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the existence of a connection between child abuse and animal abuse and urge the citizens of the State of Illinois to join the fight against both forms of abuse.