Proclamation in Recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Prevention Month

WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect are preventable when parents, families, communities and governments work together to advocate for safe environments for all children; and

WHEREAS, more than 4,000 reports of child abuse and neglect were received in 2013 by the State of Hawai’i Department of Human Services, which provides oversight and protective services for at-risk children in the State of Hawai’i; and

WHEREAS, there is overwhelming evidence that child maltreatment can lead to a broad range of short and long-term physical and emotional health problems; and

WHEREAS, the long-term effects of child abuse and neglect are felt by our entire community and need to be addressed by the entire community; and

 WHEREAS, effective child abuse and neglect prevention public awareness and education efforts, such as the Pinwheels for Prevention, the Teddy Bear Roundup and Family Story Times succeed because of the partnerships created among human service agencies, the military, public health, the District Attorney’s Office, schools, faith and civic organizations, the medical community, law enforcement and first responder agencies, the business community and concerned citizens; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawai’i recognizes and thanks all community partners for their contributions in preventing abuse and neglect before it happens by developing family-oriented, community-based prevention, awareness, education and training programs;

THEREFORE I, DAVID Y. IGE, Governor, and I, SHAN S. TSUTSUI, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawai’i, do hereby proclaim April, 2015 as

 “CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH”

in Hawai’i, and ask all citizens of the Aloha State to join us in supporting the continued collaborative efforts toward effective child abuse and neglect prevention.

 DONE at the State Capitol, in the Executive Chambers, Honolulu, State of Hawai’i, on this thirtieth day of March 2015.


       DAVID Y’ IEG                              SHAN S. TSUTSUI
Governor, State of Hawai’i            Lt. Governor, State of Hawai’i