Declare Child Abuse Prevention Month

Assembly Resolution No. 265 BY: M. of A. Rosenthal L MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2017, as Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, There is no test of society more important than that of how it treats its children, its most precious resource; and WHEREAS, The children of today are the citizens and leaders of tomorrow; their health, well-being, and development are of paramount importance to the people of the State of New York and, as such, it is the sense of this Legislative Body that every child merits the encouragement, protection, and support of all; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2017, as Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Sex crimes, particularly those committed against children, are among the most heinous and deeply disturbing in our society; they leave lifelong scars, have multiple victims, and require an all-encompassing strategy to combat; and WHEREAS, Studies have found that 20.7% of children are sexually abused; that is 43,000 children a year in New York State; and WHEREAS, On a national level, one in five girls and one in 20 boys are victims of sexual abuse, and the majority are abused by a family member or family acquaintances they trust and respect; and WHEREAS, Far too many of these crimes go unreported or are not reported for many years; then, when victims finally and courageously do speak up, they are denied justice in most States, including New York State, because arbitrary statutes of limitations prohibit them from seeking the legal recourse they are due; and WHEREAS, By calling attention to the serious and significant problem of child sexual abuse, the observation of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month exemplifies a worthy commitment to the children of New York State, encourages improvement in the quality and availability of pertinent programs, laws and services, and provides an opportunity to increase awareness about all aspects of this important matter; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this serious issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2017, as Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.