Senate Resolution No. 4659

BY: Senator HELMING

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
April 2018, as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, There is no test of society more important than that of how
it treats its children, its most precious resource; and

WHEREAS, The children of today are the citizens and leaders of
tomorrow; their health, well-being, and development are of paramount
importance to the people of the State of New York and, as such, it is
the sense of this Legislative Body that every child merits the
encouragement, protection, and support of all; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2018, as Child
Abuse Prevention Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month; and

WHEREAS, Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to acknowledge the
importance of families and communities working together to prevent child
abuse and neglect, and to promote the social and emotional well-being of
children and families; and

WHEREAS, During the month of April and throughout the year,
communities are encouraged to share child abuse and neglect prevention
awareness strategies and activities and promote prevention across the
country; and

WHEREAS, Over 65,000 children in New York State are abused or
neglected each year, enough to fill Madison Square Garden three times;
this abuse is preventable if we address its root causes; and

WHEREAS, These root causes are directly related to families'
internal and external strength and include: inability to access adequate
employment and housing, affordable child care, family planning, and
accurate information about parenting; substance misuse; and other
community-level supports; and

WHEREAS, Children's exposure to the unnecessary risk of sexual,
physical, and emotional abuse and neglect can be addressed at a state,
community, and neighborhood level; and

WHEREAS, We must also focus on strengthening the Five Protective
Factors: parental resilience; social connections; concrete support in
time of need; knowledge of parenting and child development; and social
and emotional competencies of children; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, we can make a difference in the lives of
children if we invest early and provide communities the support and
information they need; and

WHEREAS, By calling attention to the serious and significant problem
of child abuse, the observation of Child Abuse Prevention Month
exemplifies a worthy commitment to the children of New York State,
encourages improvement in the quality and availability of pertinent
programs, laws and services, and provides an opportunity to increase
awareness about all aspects of this important matter; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local,
State and National levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2018, as Child
Abuse Prevention Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.