A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE the important work done to combat the SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM OF CHILD maltreatment AND TO DECLARE tuesday, APRIL 4, 2023, AS "CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

 

Whereas, over 350,000 children are served by children's advocacy centers nationwide each year; and

 

Whereas, in 2022, children's advocacy centers throughout South Carolina served 12,897 child victims of abuse, providing victim advocacy and support services to them and their families.  This represents a sixteen percent increase in children served per year by children's advocacy centers in South Carolina over 2021; and

 

Whereas, although neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment, victims also suffer year after year from physical abuse, sexual abuse, drug endangerment, commercial sexual exploitation, and psychological maltreatment; and

 

Whereas, children's advocacy centers seek to model, promote, and deliver excellence in the response to and prevention of child abuse through direct service, education, collaboration, and leadership; and

 

Whereas, it is entirely fitting for the South Carolina House of Representatives to pause in its deliberations to underscore the growing problem of child abuse and the serious impact its continued existence has on the citizens of South Carolina, as well as on those of the rest of the nation.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize the important work done to combat the significant problem of child maltreatment and declare Tuesday, April 4, 2023, as "Children's Advocacy Center Day" in South Carolina.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Thomas Knapp, executive director of the South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers.

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