Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

IV 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 307 Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 19, 2023 Mr. JOYCE of Ohio (for himself, Ms. KUSTER, Ms. PORTER, Mr. BACON, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. PAPPAS, and Mr. COSTA) submitted the fol- lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce RESOLUTION Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Whereas children are fundamental to the success of our Na- tion and will shape the future of the United States; Whereas elected representatives and leaders in our commu- nities must be ever vigilant and proactive in support of evidence-based means to prevent child abuse and support families; Whereas adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic experiences that occur during childhood with lasting long- term effects and include experiences such as child abuse and neglect, witnessing violence, or growing up in a VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:03 Apr 20, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR307.IH HR307 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HRES 307 IH household with a family member with a substance use disorder; Whereas at least 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death are associated with ACEs; Whereas preventing ACEs could reduce many health condi- tions, including up to 21,000,000 cases of depression, 1,900,000 cases of heart disease, and 2,500,000 cases of overweight and obesity; Whereas every child is filled with tremendous promise, and we all have a collective responsibility to prevent ACEs, foster the potential of every child, and promote positive childhood experience; Whereas investments in primary prevention pay off as studies show that the total lifetime economic burden associated with treating the consequences of child maltreatment is approximately $2,000,000,000,000; Whereas economic adversity has been observed as an in- creased risk for potential abuse of children; Whereas, in 2021, an estimated 7,176,600 children were re- ferred to child protective services agencies, alleging mal- treatment; Whereas 2020 saw more than 21,700,000 reports of sus- pected child sexual exploitation made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline, which marked the highest number of re- ports ever received in 1 year; Whereas 84,900,000 pieces of child exploitation materials were reported in 2021; Whereas reports indicate that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday with VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:03 Apr 20, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR307.IH HR307 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 3 •HRES 307 IH 42,000,000 estimated child sexual abuse survivors in the United States; Whereas approximately 1 in 7 children in the United States has experienced child abuse, neglect, or both during the past year; Whereas 1 in 5 children has received a sexual approach or solicitation on the internet during the past year; Whereas 70 percent of child sexual abuse victims reported perpetration by a juvenile offender, often an acquaintance and 91 percent of victims are abused by a person they know and trust; Whereas children who are sexually abused, when not provided appropriate treatment, often suffer from lifelong prob- lems, such as physical and mental health issues, and higher risk of drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide; Whereas children who are abused or neglected are more likely to be arrested for delinquent behavior as juveniles; Whereas children who have experienced abuse are more likely to be arrested for violent and criminal behavior as adults; Whereas education and awareness of possible signs of child abuse should be prioritized for purposes of prevention; Whereas, by intervening to prevent adversity and build resil- ience during a child’s most critical years of development, voluntary, evidence-based, home-visiting programs like Healthy Families America, the signature home-visiting program of Prevent Child Abuse America, have shown positive impact on reducing the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, decreased low-birthweight babies, improved school readiness for children, and increased high school graduation rates for parents; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:03 Apr 20, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR307.IH HR307 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 4 •HRES 307 IH Whereas Keep Kids Safe is a survivor-centered coalition of organizations dedicated to preventing sexual violence against children and adolescents, and to healing and jus- tice for survivors; Whereas this coalition includes the Monique Burr Founda- tion, Darkness to Light, Together for Girls, the SNAP network, the Army of Survivors, and the National Chil- dren’s Alliance; and Whereas these organizations play a critical role in preventing childhood abuse and child sexual abuse and helping sur- vivors heal and seek justice: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) expresses support for the goals and ideals of 2 National Child Abuse Prevention Month; 3 (2) recognizes child abuse and child sexual 4 abuse is preventable and that a healthy and pros- 5 perous society depends on strong families and com- 6 munities; 7 (3) supports efforts to increase the awareness 8 of, and provide education for, the general public of 9 the United States, related to the prevention of child 10 abuse and protective factors for families; 11 (4) supports the efforts to help survivors of 12 childhood sexual abuse heal; 13 (5) supports justice for victims of childhood 14 sexual abuse; and 15 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:03 Apr 20, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR307.IH HR307 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 5 •HRES 307 IH (6) recognizes the need for additional invest- 1 ments and Federal legislation for prevention, heal- 2 ing, and justice efforts related to childhood abuse 3 and sexual abuse. 4 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:03 Apr 20, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR307.IH HR307 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB