Supports National Child Abuse Prevention Month by advocating for increased awareness, prevention, and support for families and survivors, while also emphasizing the economic and health benefits of preventing adverse childhood experiences.
Garland "Andy" Barr
Representative
KY-6
This resolution expresses support for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, highlighting the importance of preventing child abuse and supporting families. It emphasizes the need for increased awareness, education, and investment in evidence-based prevention programs to reduce child maltreatment and its long-term consequences. The resolution also supports efforts to help survivors heal and ensure justice for victims of childhood abuse and sexual abuse.
Resolution Backs National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Highlighting Health and Economic Stakes
This resolution formally throws support behind the goals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It's essentially a statement acknowledging that preventing child abuse and bolstering families is critical, linking Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) directly to significant long-term health problems – including connections to 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death – and a staggering estimated lifetime economic cost of nearly $2 trillion nationwide.
Connecting the Dots: Why Prevention is Key
The resolution doesn't just offer symbolic support; it connects the dots between childhood experiences and adult outcomes. It points out that preventing ACEs—things like abuse, neglect, and serious household dysfunction—could potentially slash rates of depression, heart disease, and obesity significantly. Think of it like this: the resolution argues that investing in stable, supportive childhoods isn't just the right thing to do, it's a strategy for a healthier, more economically sound future. It specifically mentions evidence-based programs like Healthy Families America as examples of effective prevention.
Grounding the Goals in Reality
To underscore the urgency, the resolution cites some hard numbers. It notes that Child Protective Services received referrals for an estimated 7.7 million children in 2023, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline fielded over 36 million reports related to online child sexual abuse that same year. These figures serve as a stark reminder of the scale of the problem the resolution aims to address through increased awareness and prevention efforts.
What This Resolution Actually Does
It's important to understand what this resolution is and isn't. It expresses support for awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, survivor healing, and bringing perpetrators to justice. It also explicitly recognizes the need for more federal investment and legislation down the line to tackle prevention, healing, and justice related to child abuse. However, this resolution itself doesn't create new laws, allocate specific funds, or mandate programs. It's a statement of priorities and a call to action, laying the groundwork for potential future legislative efforts by highlighting the profound impact of child maltreatment and the proven benefits of prevention.