HR1158 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1158 LRB094 20079 HSS 57663 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Each year, 1,500 children die and 140,000 children are injured because of child abuse, more than 2 million cases of child abuse and neglect are reported in the United States, and an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 new cases of sexual abuse occur; and

WHEREAS, There are several types of child abuse, including domestic abuse in the home, Shaken Baby Syndrome, neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and child abandonment; and

WHEREAS, Children who suffer abuse develop a range of maladaptive, anti-social, and self-destructive behaviors and thoughts in trying to cope with the abuse; children who are victims of sexual abuse experience depression, anxiety, guilt, fear, sexual dysfunction, dissociative symptoms, eating disorders, substance abuse, prostitution, regressive behaviors such as a return to thumb-sucking or bed-wetting, runaway behavior, and academic and behavior problems; and

WHEREAS, The costs of child abuse to society are great and include human suffering; medical care for injuries; medical care for the long term effects on survivors; mental health care for survivors; substance abuse treatment for survivors; mental health treatment for abusers; criminal justice system costs for police intervention, arrests, prosecution, and incarceration; legal system costs for lawyers, judges, and courtrooms; costs to our educational system for special education services and counseling services; and social service costs for shelters, foster care, emergency housing, and case workers; and

WHEREAS, There are many things that the public can do to prevent child abuse, including being educated regarding the signs of child abuse, what constitutes child abuse, and why it is wrong, and the best way to prevent child abuse; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that to recognize the value of children in our society and to encourage education and prevention of domestic violence and abuse, we declare Sunday, June 11, 2006, to be "Children's Day" in the State of Illinois.