National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2009

Proclamation 8355 of April 1, 2009

National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

When the child next door is maltreated, we all suffer.
Every American has a stake in the well-being of our
Nation's children. They are members of our communities,
and they are our future. National Child Abuse
Prevention Month provides the opportunity to underscore
our commitment to preventing and responding
appropriately to child abuse. This month, we emphasize
the importance of understanding child abuse and the
need for all Americans to help families overcome this
devastating problem.

The tragedy of child abuse may afflict American
children in different ways. Abuse may occur physically,
sexually, and emotionally. Child neglect, another form
of child maltreatment, may occur physically and
emotionally. Understanding the forms of child abuse is
critical to preventing and responding to maltreatment.

A well-informed and strong family is the surest defense
against child abuse. To help educate and strengthen
families, community members can offer their time and
counsel to parents and children who may need
assistance. For example, parent support groups provide
an organized forum for assistance. More informally,
community members may simply offer a helping hand to
families under stress. More information about what
families and communities can do is available at
www.childwelfare.gov/preventing.

Civic organizations and government also have an
important role to play. Civic groups offer essential
support through education, assistance to those at risk,
and treatment for victims. Government at the local,
State, and Federal level must provide funding for
services, conduct public education projects, and
enforce child abuse laws.

As we recognize that we all suffer when our children
are abused, that we all benefit from mutual concern and
care, and that we all have a responsibility to help,
more American children will grow up healthy, happy, and
with unlimited potential for success.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim April 2009, as National
Child Abuse Prevention Month. I encourage all citizens
to help prevent and respond to child abuse by
strengthening families and contributing to all
children's physical, emotional, and developmental
needs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.