AJR57

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman BRITNEE N. TIMBERLAKE

District 34 (Essex and Passaic)

SYNOPSIS

Designates April of each year as “Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.”

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

A Joint Resolution designating April of each year as “Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month” in New Jersey.

Whereas, The month of April of each year is currently designated as “Child Abuse Awareness Month” in New Jersey; and

Whereas, The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends evidence-based strategies to help prevent child abuse and neglect, including public education campaigns, caregiver support programs, and parenting skills education initiatives; and

Whereas, Child abuse can be physical, emotional, or sexual in nature; and

Whereas, Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment; and

Whereas, The New Jersey Department of Children and Families estimates that, in 2017, three in 100 children in the State were subjected to abuse or neglect; and

Whereas, Public health research shows that child abuse and neglect can cause long-term trauma that has life-long health, psychological, cognitive, and economic repercussions; and

Whereas, Studies indicate that children who experience neglect or abuse are more likely to abuse their own children in the future; and

Whereas, All children are safer when adults in the community recognize the signs of child neglect and abuse, and know how to report suspected cases; and

Whereas, All sectors of the State, including law enforcement, medical professionals, schools, courts, houses of worship, numerous public and private agencies, and media outlets have joined forces to promote public awareness and community involvement in keeping children safe and nurtured during the month of April and throughout the year; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 2 of P.L.1992, c.42 (C.36:2-30) is amended to read as follows:

2. The month of April is permanently designated [and declared] as “Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month” in the State of New Jersey.

(cf:P.L.1992, c.42, s.2)

2. (New section) The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, faith communities, community organizations, and citizens of this State to become involved in efforts aimed at preventing our children from being abused and neglected.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution amends current law, which designates the month of April of each year as “Child Abuse Awareness Month” in New Jersey. This resolution permanently designates April as “Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month,” to coincide with National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.

The additional emphasis on child abuse prevention reflects recommendations by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aimed at preventing child abuse. There are ample public health data showing that child abuse victims are at higher risk for substance abuse, lower educational attainment, and involvement in criminal activities later in life. According to the CDC, the total lifetime cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States was approximately $124 billion in 2008. However, the CDC reports that evidence-based programs, such as parental skills education, caregiver support programs, and public education campaigns, are effective tools in reducing the incidence and prevalence of child abuse and neglect.