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WHEREAS, every child is entitled to be loved, cared for, secure and protected from verbal, sexual, emotional and physical abuse, exploitation and neglect. It is the responsibility of our society to protect every child's inalienable right to life and liberty; and,
WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect not only causes immediate harm to children but are also linked to a wide range of traumatic psychological, emotional, medical and behavioral issues, making child abuse one of our nation's most serious public health problems; and,
WHEREAS, in Pennsylvania, 9 out of 1000 children are reported as victims of child abuse and 1 out of 1000 reports are substantiated which in hard numbers revealed 3,656 children determined to be true victims of child abuse and neglect in PA; and,
WHEREAS, preventing child abuse is a community issue that depends on involvement of many different people. Effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships created amongst social service agencies, schools, faith communities, law enforcement agencies, the District Attorneys Office and the business community; and,
WHEREAS, Allegheny County has agencies and organizations addressing and dealing with the identification, prevention, awareness and even adjudication of perpetrators so that child abuse remains on the forefront of good public health policy.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the efforts of the agencies and organizations in Pittsburgh that protect children and today honors and recognizes the work of Laura Ditka, Assistant District Attorney in charge of the Child Abuse Unit for her diligence and commitment to children ; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare April 2012 to be "CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH" in the City of Pittsburgh.