Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Resolution Passed by the House

On April 24, the House approved, 411-0, a resolution (H. Res. 299) urging Congress to take steps to increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect. The resolution also encouraged Congress to continue to work with the states to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect through such programs as the Child Welfare Services and Promoting Safe and Stable Families programs.

Sponsored by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:

according to the most recent annual estimates, 3.6 million children were the subject of child abuse and neglect investigations in 2005, an increase of 462,000 children from 2001;
more than 75 percent of the children who died because of abuse and neglect in 2005 were under the age of four;
studies have found that abused and neglected children tend to be at least 25 percent more likely than the general population of children to experience problems, such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, low academic achievement, drug use, and mental illness; and
a National Institute of Justice study indicated abuse or neglect during childhood increased the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 59 percent and adult criminal behavior by 28 percent.“Not every child in America is raised in a safe and loving home,” said Rep. McDermott. He continued, “More often than we realize, children become the victims of abuse and neglect from the very people they should be able to trust the most, their parents…Child abuse and neglect has a devastating impact on the life of a child that goes beyond the immediate physical and emotional pain that is inflicted on them. Children who suffer from maltreatment are at greater risk of developmental delays and behavioral problems that could last a lifetime. Child maltreatment can delay or disrupt the normal cognitive development process, which, in turn, impacts academic achievement…In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, I urge my colleagues to join me in increasing public awareness of the threat to innocent children and to promote public policies designed to prevent child abuse and safeguard our most vulnerable children.”
Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL) said, “Several government programs overseen by the [House Ways and Means] subcommittee [on Income Security and Family Support] on which Chairman McDermott and I serve assist foster and adoptive families with children’s needs or help reunify children with their own parents when that is safe and appropriate. But the very first step to ensure children are out of harm’s way involves alert relatives, neighbors, friends, teachers, community organizations, and so many others in every neighborhood across this country.” Rep. Weller concluded his remarks, “There certainly is much more work to do. Many experts have long been concerned that current programs focus too many resources on helping families after children have been abused and neglected. That is simply too late, especially when the right resources might help prevent abuse or neglect from occurring.”