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Managing America: Crime

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Week Ending April 27, 2006

H.RES.299 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect and should continue to work with the States to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect through such programs as the Child Welfare Services and Promoting Safe and Stable Families programs.

Approximately 3.6 million children were the subject of child abuse and neglect investigations in 2005 representing an increase of 462,000 from 2001. 899,000 were found to be victims of child abuse and neglect in 2005. Among those 513,000 were unable to live safely with their families and were living in foster homes and institutions.

1,460 died in 2005. 75% who died were under the age of 4.

Abused children are found to be 25% more likely to have delinquency, teen pregnancy, low academic achievement, drug use and mental illness than those not abused. Likelihood of juvenile arrest is 59% higher and adult arrests are 28% higher for those victims.

Abusive parents were often abused themselves and about a third of abused children will eventually victimize their own kids.

April is declared National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the House urges increased public awareness and continued prevention

work with the States through various programs.

Sponsor:  Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA-7^th)

Vote: Passed House 411 to 0 April 24, 2007 (RC 250)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost

Earmark Certification:   Not applicable to this resolution.

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MORE INFORMATION

Whereas child abuse and neglect continue to pose a serious threat to our Nation's children;

Whereas according to the most recent annual estimates, 3,600,000 children were the subject of child abuse and neglect investigations in 2005, an increase of 462,000 children from 2001;

Whereas more than 899,000 children were found to be the victims of abuse and neglect in 2005;

Whereas as of the end of 2005, approximately 513,000 children were unable to live safely with their families and instead were living in foster homes and institutions;

Whereas an estimated 1,460 children died because of abuse and neglect in 2005;

Whereas more than 75 percent of the children who died because of abuse and neglect in 2005 were under the age of 4;

Whereas studies have found that abused and neglected children tend to be at least 25 percent more likely than the general population of children to experience problems such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, low academic achievement, drug use, and mental illness;

Whereas a National Institute of Justice study indicated abuse or neglect during childhood increased the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 59 percent and adult criminal behavior by 28 percent;

Whereas studies have found that abusive parents often were themselves the victims of child abuse;

Whereas it is estimated that approximately 1/3 of abused and neglected children will eventually victimize their own children;

Whereas child abuse and neglect can have long-term economic and societal costs through the increased use of the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems, the increased health care costs resulting from mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence, and the loss of economic productivity due to unemployment and underemployment; and

Whereas it is appropriate to designate the month of April, 2007 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect and should continue to work with the States to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect through such programs as the Child Welfare Services and Promoting Safe and Stable Families programs.

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