Bill Barrett: “I rise to remind the House that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The most recent data compiled by the National…”

“I rise to remind the House that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The most recent data compiled by the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse shows now that more than 3 million cases of child abuse and neglect are reported annually. That number is shocking considering that child abuse is preventable. Research shows substance abuse and the lack of parenting skills to be the main causes. We can respond by ensuring that alcohol and drug treatment programs and parenting classes are funded and accessible. Of course, our strongest weapons are knowledge, awareness and compassion. Every responsible adult can help by learning more about the problem, by supporting parents and children at risk in their communities, and by reporting incidents of abuse. A group of my constituents in Grand Island, Nebraska, has again this year made blue ribbons available to us to acknowledge Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is a small symbol of our commitment to fighting and ending the problem, and I hope all of my colleagues will wear theirs proudly.”