ACR 125 Summary

• Acknowledges April 2012 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in California and encourages residents to support youth-serving child abuse prevention activities in their communities and schools.

• Notes that approximately 89,000 California children were found to be victims of abuse or neglect in 2010, and 120 children died from abuse or neglect that year.

• Emphasizes that abused or neglected children have higher risks of developing health problems as adults, including alcoholism, depression, drug abuse, eating disorders, obesity, and suicide.

• Promotes community-based prevention services as a cost-effective alternative to addressing the long-term consequences of child abuse through protective services, law enforcement, foster care, and adult mental health treatment.

• Endorses Blue Ribbon Campaigns organized by Prevent Child Abuse America and other organizations to increase public awareness and focus on preventing child abuse by supporting families and strengthening communities.