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TO RECOGNIZE APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH.
Whereas, child abuse is a pervasive problem throughout the United States as well as in South Carolina; and
Whereas, more than 3,000,000 children in the United States are reported as abused or neglected each year, and in South Carolina in 2001 investigations were conducted on 35,000 children based on reports made of child abuse and neglect; and
Whereas, from these investigations, it was determined that twelve percent of the children were physically abused, twelve percent were neglected, five percent were sexually abused, one percent were mentally injured, and forty-one percent were threatened by harm; and
Whereas, in 2001 in South Carolina twenty-three children died tragically as a result of child abuse or neglect; twenty-one of the children were under the age of twelve, and eleven were under the age of one; and
Whereas, of these twenty-three children, four children died due to head injuries, six children died due to the Battered Child Syndrome, four children died due to the Shaken Baby Syndrome, two children died due to beatings, one child died due to drowning, four children died due to gun shot wounds, one child died due to a knife stabbing, and one child died due to medical neglect; and
Whereas, child abuse and neglect has a destructive impact on families and far-reaching effects on all communities and leaves devastating emotional scars on the children who are victims; and
Whereas, child protection is the responsibility of every citizen, community, and governmental agency; and
Whereas, for the future of our children, our families, our communities, and our State, this pandemic social problem must be addressed through public awareness and education as well as through programs and services for children and families; and
Whereas, the protection and safety of South Carolina's children must be a major priority of this State. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
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