Child Abuse Prevention Month

WHEREAS, the health and safety of all Virginians is important to the happiness, prosperity and well-being of our Commonwealth's families and communities; and

WHEREAS, preventing child abuse and neglect is a community problem that depends on involvement among people throughout the community; and

WHEREAS, child maltreatment occurs when people find themselves in stressful situations, without community resources, and don't know how to cope; and

WHEREAS, the majority of child abuse cases stem from situations and conditions that are preventable in an engaged and supportive community; and

WHEREAS, all citizens should become involved in supporting families in raising their children in a safe, nurturing environment; and

WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships created among families, social service agencies, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize April 2012 as CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.