R 196

2019 -- H 5961 Enacted 04/04/2019

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING APRIL, 2019, AS "CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Roberts, Chippendale, Nardone, Quattrocchi, and Filippi

Date Introduced: April 04, 2019

WHEREAS, Anyone who does anything to help a child in need is a hero; and

WHEREAS, Annually, the month of April is designated as National Child Abuse

Prevention Month in order to "recognize the importance of families and communities working

together to prevent child abuse and neglect and promotes the social and emotional well-being of

children and families"; and

WHEREAS, Child abuse includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Child neglect is

defined as emotional, educational, physical, and medical neglect, as well as a failure to provide

for basic needs; and

WHEREAS, Children are the most vulnerable among us and everything that can be done

must be done to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect, and have the opportunity to

pursue their dreams in secure and healthy environments; and

WHEREAS, Every child deserves to be loved, nurtured, and safe. Parents, family

members, teachers, and other caregivers profoundly shape children's lives and it is essential that

they be the child's first line of defense; and

WHEREAS, According to RI KIDS COUNT, in 2017 in Rhode Island, there were 2,404

indicated investigations of child abuse and neglect involving 3,357 children; and

WHEREAS, About 52 percent of the victims of child abuse and neglect in 2017 were

young children under age six and 34 percent were ages three and younger; and

WHEREAS, In the words of author and survivor Dave Pelzer, "Childhood should be

carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul"; now, therefore be

it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby commemorates April, 2019, as "Child Abuse Prevention Month"

and urges all Rhode Islanders to support efforts that promote children's psychological, physical,

and emotional development; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Gina Raimondo, Governor of the

State of Rhode Island, and the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and

Families.

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LC002375

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