Title
Motion of the Council of Allegheny County expressing support for state funding for child abuse prevention education within the Commonwealth.
Body
WHEREAS, each year more than 1 million children in the United States are documented as the victims of child abuse, and at least 1,500 children die as a result, with children under four years old accounting for 81% of the fatalities; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, 46 Pennsylvania children died as a result of abuse and neglect and there were 6,157 substantiated cases of abuse; and
WHEREAS, sexual assault and child abuse affects the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania whether as a victim-survivor or as a family member, friend, neighbor, employee, classmate or co-worker of a victim-survivor; and
WHEREAS, past and recent reports and statistics show there is an alarming increase of children in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who are or are at risk of being sexually abused and exploited; and
WHEREAS, although the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1999 unanimously passed House Resolution 263, urging then-Governor Thomas Ridge to include a child abuse community prevention plan in his budget, such funding was not provided; and
WHEREAS, it is of vital importance to broaden the scope and increase the effectiveness of sexual violence and child sexual abuse prevention efforts, as evidence suggests that over 266,000 children have been victimized; and
WHEREAS, prevention initiatives have the potential to save lives and prevent human suffering, while simultaneously saving significant money currently expended on health care costs, the criminal justice system, and in lost productivity; and
WHEREAS, by supporting and funding proactive preventative measures and prevention education, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will generally improve public safety; and
WHEREAS, every individual and community in Pennsylvania has the ability to help eliminate sexual violence and child abuse by working t...
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