AK HCR7

Proclaims April 2015 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Alaska.

Proclaims April 10, 2015, as Go Blue Friday, designating blue as the official color of prevention and encouraging state employees and residents to wear blue and support child safety efforts.

Cites Alaska's child abuse statistics including one of the five highest rates in the United States, with 42 abuse victims per 1,000 children and more than 40,000 allegations of harm received by the Office of Children's Services in fiscal year 2014.

Highlights long-term effects of child abuse including improper brain formation, low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder, and increased vulnerability to disease and criminal activity.

Encourages all state employees and residents to support child abuse prevention and education efforts.