Child Abuse Prevention Month (2007)
WHEREAS, every child is precious and deserves to grow up in a healthy, safe, nurturing environment free from the threats, dangers, and harmful effects of child abuse and neglect; and
WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect impacts our entire society and can cause traumatic psychological, emotional and physical harm which can lead to poor outcomes, detrimental behaviors and mental and physical illness for children and adults; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Campaign began over 16 years ago as a result of the efforts of one Virginia grandmother whose grandson was killed by his mother’s abusive boyfriend; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Social Services and Prevent Child Abuse Virginia have collaborated with other state level organizations to increase the common good for children and have created A Blue Ribbon Plan to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, parents, families and communities can help reduce child abuse and neglect in Virginia by promoting the benefits that children receive from loving, supportive and encouraging homes; and
WHEREAS, I encourage all citizens of the commonwealth to recognize that prevention starts with each of us;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy M. Kaine, do hereby recognize April 2007 as CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.