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1		SENATE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect is a major social problem
3		in Illinois; according to the U.S. Department of Health &
4		Human Services Child Maltreatment Report for 2022, 35,330
5		neglect and maltreatment cases were reported in Illinois in
6		2022, and 1,955 child fatalities were reported nationally in
7		2022; and
8		WHEREAS, It is estimated that more than 100,000 cases of
9		abuse go unreported each year; the impact of abuse on children
10		manifests itself in various ways; the affected children may
11		experience a range of emotional, psychological, and physical
12		trauma resulting from abuse or neglect; and
13		WHEREAS, There are various organizations and agencies
14		devoted to combatting this concern; such groups seek to
15		provide preventative solutions and possible exit strategies to
16		at-risk youth and victimized children; and
17		WHEREAS, In 1982, Congress designated June 6-12 as
18		National Child Abuse Prevention Week; the following year,
19		President Ronald Reagan proclaimed April to be the first
20		National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a tradition that
21		continues to this day; and

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1		WHEREAS, Illinois law requires that mandated reporters,
2		including most professionals employed within education,
3		healthcare, law enforcement, and social work sectors, report
4		suspected child neglect or abuse; and
5		WHEREAS, Healthcare professionals and concerned private
6		parties continue to educate parents and raise awareness of
7		child abuse within the State; and
8		WHEREAS, Effective preventative measures concerning child
9		abuse succeed because of partnerships created between the
10		courts, social service agencies, schools, religious
11		organizations, law enforcement agencies, businesses, and
12		civilian communities; the establishment of an Illinois Child
13		Abuse Prevention Month would cohesively promote such
14		successful partnerships aiming to eradicate the social ill of
15		child abuse and neglect; and
16		WHEREAS, National Child Abuse Prevention Month promotes
17		the social and emotional well-being of children and families
18		and thus serves to acknowledge the importance of community
19		cooperation throughout the nation with respect to the
20		prevention of child abuse and neglect; the institution of an
21		Illinois Child Abuse Prevention Month would functionally
22		reiterate such principles within Illinois and would reinforce
23		Illinois' commitment to educating residents and helping

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1		prevent any more children from being subjected to child abuse
2		and neglect; therefore, be it