IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION proclaiming April 2002 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Jackson County, Missouri.
Intro
RESOLUTION # 14113, April 2, 2002
INTRODUCED BY Victor Callahan, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, April is designated National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time devoted to increasing public awareness of mistreatment and violence toward children; and,
WHEREAS, violence against children is a serious societal problem; and,
WHEREAS, on an average day in Missouri, four children are sexually abused, 93 children are reported as neglected or abused, and the child abuse hotline receives 128 calls of suspected abuse; and,
WHEREAS, childhood abuse and neglect can lead to lifelong problems; and,
WHEREAS, in addition to the emotional cost to individual victims, there are also significant social and economic costs to the community; and,
WHEREAS, the causes of abuse are known and understood, and therefore attention must be given to whatever solutions can be offered; and,
WHEREAS, among the causes of abuse and neglect are economic stress in the family, education deficiencies of parents, cultural definitions of and attitudes towards discipline, poor parenting skills, and a host of problems contributing to the instability of the family unit; and,
WHEREAS, addressing these problems is a step toward ending abuse; and,
WHEREAS, children deserve to be nurtured in safe and loving environments; and
WHEREAS, adults, whether partners, guardians, teachers, friends, neighbors, or relatives, have a certain responsibility to help ensure that children receive such nurturing, respect, and care; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature encourages all people in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area to be mindful of the many ways in which they can actively help children and protect them from violence and neglect; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson C...
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