WHEREAS, Childhood abuse is a significant and traumatizing issue that affects the lives of many children in Philadelphia and inflicts long-lasting consequences for our City’s children, families, and communities; and
WHEREAS, According to the most recent data, an estimated 1 in 10 children in Philadelphia experiences some form of abuse or neglect before the age of 18; and
WHEREAS, Child abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect, all of which have devastating impacts on a child’s physical, emotional, and psychological development; and
WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, reports from the Department of Human Services indicate that there were 3,054 in dependent care as of the third quarter of fiscal year 2024; and
WHEREAS, Childhood abuse has been linked to a wide range of adverse outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with up to 20% of Philadelphians in mental health treatment reporting histories of childhood abuse; and
WHEREAS, The effects of childhood abuse extend beyond mental health, contributing to physical health problems, such as heart disease, obesity, and chronic pain, as well as social and economic challenges, including lower educational attainment, higher rates of unemployment, and involvement in the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Human Services reports that the number of children in delinquent care in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 increased by 70% from the same quarter of fiscal year 2023; and
WHEREAS, Research shows that victims of childhood abuse are 9 times more likely to engage in criminal activities and are more likely to perpetuate cycles of violence, creating a ripple effect that impacts the broader community; and
WHEREAS, Raising awareness about childhood abuse is a critical step toward prevention and intervention, ensuring that every child in Philadelphia has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, supportive, and stable environment; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia holds the largest share of statewide child abuse cases, consisting of 12% of all childhood abuse cases across the Commonwealth as of 2023; and
WHEREAS, According to data provided by the Department of Human Services in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, the number of children placed with members of kinship had declined since fiscal year 2023; and
WHEREAS, As of the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, only 55% of siblings were placed together in foster care; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares its commitment to raising awareness about the prevalence of childhood abuse and the severe impacts it has on the children of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Council supports ongoing and future efforts to examine the effectiveness of City funded programs that provide services for child welfare and safety.
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