Declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Child abuse is a community problem and finding solutions depends on involvement of people and organizations throughout the community;

WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect is of serious and growing concern in the nation and in the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, If counted in official statistics, child abuse would count for one-fifth of the nation's crimes; and

WHEREAS, More than thirty Philadelphia children are reported abused or neglected every day. In 1998, the City Department of Human Services determined that over 1,500 children suffered definite harm as a result of abuse or neglect; and

WHEREAS, The tragic effects of child abuse can last a lifetime, and child abuse or neglect tends to continue from generation to generation. The financial cost to the community of responding to child abuse exceeds $10,000 a year per child; and

WHEREAS, Effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships among social service agencies, schools, health care organizations, religious and civic organizations, law enforcement agencies and the business community; and

WHEREAS, All citizens should become more aware of the negative effects of child abuse and its prevention, and become active in supporting parents to raise th eir children in a safe, nurturing environment; and

WHEREAS, In declaring April and Child Abuse Prevention Month in Philadelphia, we call upon all citizens, community agencies, religious and health organizations, corporations and businesses to keep all children "safe at home," thereby strengthening the Philadelphia community; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the City Council of Philadelphia declares April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Philadelphia.

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