WHEREAS, an estimated 600,000 children are abused and neglected in the United States annually; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, Child Protective Services (CPS) agencies received a national estimate of 3.987 million referrals alleging the maltreatment of approximately 7.7 million children; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, a national estimate of 1,990 children died from abuse and neglect at a rate of 2.73 per 100,000 children in the population, an increase from 2021; and
WHEREAS, the youngest children are the most vulnerable to maltreatment, with 45.6 percent of child fatalities are younger than 1 year old; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Delaware received 25,188 hotline, 24,483 family and 705 institutional abuse reports; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, 29% of the 7408 reports Delaware received met the criteria for an investigation or assessment; and
WHEREAS, the prevention of child abuse is a matter of concern to citizens, state agencies, and community organizations in Delaware; and
WHEREAS, collaborative partnerships among various groups can help make child abuse prevention programs successful; and
WHEREAS, all citizens of the State should encourage parents to raise their children in a safe, nurturing environment and support programs that prevent child abuse; and
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, most schools transitioned to virtual classrooms making it difficult for the largest group of child abuse and neglect reporters, education personnel, to observe suspected maltreatment and submit maltreatment allegations.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the month of April 2024 is designated as “Child Abuse Prevention Month” in the State of Delaware.
