Child Abuse Prevention Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, child abuse is among our nation’s foremost public health issues, with studies revealing a direct link between the abuse and neglect of children and long-term psychological, emotional and physical effects, often times with lifelong consequences for victims of abuse; and,

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Social Services reports that child abuse affects more than 120,000 families each year in the Commonwealth as documented by local departments of social services; and,

WHEREAS, every child is entitled to love and care in a safe and nurturing environment free from abuse and neglect with the support needed to help them grow and thrive; and,

WHEREAS, children are the foundation of a sustainable and prosperous society, and our welfare as a Commonwealth and a nation is built on a foundation of safe and healthy child development; and,

WHEREAS, creating communities where Virginia’s families are supported and strengthened through meaningful partnerships between schools, professional health services, community and faith-based organizations, businesses and law enforcement can prevent child abuse and neglect; and,

WHEREAS, April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time for Virginians and all Americans to be reminded of the courage it takes to raise a child and that all parents should have access to the support and knowledge which child rearing demands; and,

WHEREAS, we must work together as a Commonwealth to increase awareness about child abuse and neglect while creating safe and healthy environments for children to live with supportive families and engaged communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize April 2022 as CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens and encourage participation in supporting families in an effort to prevent child abuse and neglect and strengthen our Commonwealth.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations