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April is child abuse prevention month
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Posted on Mar 29 2006
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial stressed yesterday the relation between economic and social problems, as he proclaimed April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.
Fitial, in his remarks at the proclamation ceremony, said that the economic changes in the Commonwealth during the past 30 years had forced some difficult adjustments to some families.
He noted that some families may have been left behind in terms of educational achievement and economic gains. The close-knit family culture has also eroded because of media and technological influences, along with changes in economics.
“I worry that, during this period of economic stagnation, some of our social problems, including child abuse and neglect, might become aggravated. This is why it is critical for our entire community to pull together and support our administrations efforts to cure our economic sickness, because the economy affects our social life and our family lives. It also greatly affects our government’s ability to deliver badly needed social services,” Fitial said.
The Division of Youth Services will lead various activities in observance of the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. These include parenting workshops to be held at the schools throughout April.
In his proclamation, the governor urged all parents to strengthen their parenting skills by participating in DYS’ workshops.
“Let us all work to stop child abuse and neglect. Safe children and healthy families are a shared responsibility. Let us learn about the warning signs of child abuse and neglect. Let us learn about the effects of child abuse and neglect. We should learn the steps to take to report child abuse and neglect,” Fitial said.
“The more we learn, the more we are empowered, and the more we can effectively help prevent and stop child abuse and neglect,” he added.
