SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 544
WHEREAS, While children are vital to our state's future
success, prosperity, and quality of life, they are also the most
vulnerable members of society; and
WHEREAS, In 2018, there were more than 66,000 Texas
children who were confirmed as victims of child abuse and
neglect, and more than 20,600 Texas children were removed from
their homes as a result of abuse; in addition, there were 211
child fatalities due to abuse and neglect; and
WHEREAS, In the past five years, 75 percent of child
fatalities due to abuse and neglect occurred in children who were
three years old or younger; and
WHEREAS, The short-term and long-term costs of child abuse
and neglect incurred through medical treatment, foster care, law
enforcement proceedings, mental health care, special education,
juvenile delinquency, and lost productivity are estimated at
$830,928 per victim; these costs to Texans amounted to over $55
billion for child maltreatment in 2018; and
WHEREAS, Child maltreatment also carries enormous negative
societal consequences, including mental illness, substance
abuse, developmental delays, teen pregnancy, academic
underachievement, criminal behavior, unemployment, poverty, and
chronic disease; and
WHEREAS, All children deserve to have the safe, stable,
nurturing homes and communities that are necessary for fostering
their healthy growth and development; and
WHEREAS, Child abuse is a state and community problem, and
successfully protecting children depends upon investments in
evidence-based prevention and the support and encouragement that
citizens throughout the community offer parents and other
caregivers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby recognize that April is National Child Abuse
Prevention Month; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate call upon all citizens, elected
officials, community agencies, religious organizations, medical
facilities, schools, and businesses to increase their
participation in efforts to protect children from abuse and
neglect and to advocate for investments in child abuse prevention
and in the health, safety, and livelihood of all Texans.
West
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 8, 2019.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate