Assembly Resolution No. 1015

BY: M. of A. Jaffee

MEMORIALIZING 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

WHEREAS, There is no test of society more important than its
treatment of children, its most precious resource; every child merits
the respect, encouragement, and concern of all; and

WHEREAS, 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, National Child Abuse Prevention Month is observed every
April to alert Americans to the ongoing crisis of child abuse; to teach
communities to recognize the signs and symptoms of this far too common
problem; and to encourage the prevention of child abuse and neglect
through education and resources; and

WHEREAS, Child Abuse Prevention Month also seeks to remember all the
children who have lost their lives or have been seriously affected by
familial violence; and

WHEREAS, Over 65,000 children in New York State are abused or
neglected each year; and

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

WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect is a complex and significant
problem; it crosses all cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines,
exists within all religions, and occurs at all levels of education in
our State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Preventing child abuse and neglect requires a partnership
of government and local agencies; the goal is to identify and promote
early recognition of abuse or neglect and to develop effective
prevention programs; and

WHEREAS, This abuse is preventable if the root causes of abuse are
addressed, which may include: inability to access adequate employment
and housing, affordable child care, family planning, accurate
information about parenting; substance misuse; and lack of
community-level support; and

WHEREAS, The focus of 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, should be strengthened; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is committed to ensuring the safety
and quality of life of the children of this State and Nation, and to
protect future generations of citizens; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare 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 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.