Office of the Mayor

Proclamation

Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS:   Preventing child abuse and neglect is a community problem that depends on involvement among people throughout the community; and

WHEREAS:   Child maltreatment occurs when people find themselves in stressful situations, without community resources, and don’t know how to cope; and

WHEREAS:   Child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure each family has the support they need to raise their children in a healthy environment; and

WHEREAS:   Child abuse and neglect not only directly harm children, but also increase the likelihood of criminal behavior, substance abuse, health problems such as heart disease and obesity, and risky behavior such as smoking; and

WHEREAS:   Effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships created among social service agencies, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community; and

WHEREAS:   Together we can strengthen families and prevent child abuse right from the start;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Chestnut, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2010, as

“CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH”

in Lawrence and call upon all citizens, community agencies, religious organizations, medical facilities, and businesses to increase their participation in our efforts to prevent child abuse, thereby strengthening the communities in which we live.

                                                          Robert Chestnut, Mayor

March 30, 2010