National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2013

Proclamation 8949 of March 29, 2013

National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2013

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America is a country where all of us should be able to
pursue our own measure of happiness and live free from
fear. But for the millions of children who have
experienced abuse or neglect, it is a promise that goes
tragically unfulfilled. National Child Abuse Prevention
Month is a time to make their struggle our own and
reaffirm a simple truth: that no matter the challenges
we face, caring for our children must always be our
first task.

Realizing that truth in our society means ensuring
children know they are never alone--that they always
have a place to go and there are always people on their
side. Parents and caregivers play an essential part in
giving their children that stability. But we also know
that keeping our children safe is something we can only
do together, with the help of friends and neighbors and
the broader community. All of us bear a responsibility
to look after them, whether by lifting children toward
their full potential or lending a hand to a family in
need.

Our Government shares in that obligation, which is why
my Administration has made addressing child abuse a
priority. Since I took office, we have advocated for
responsible parenting and invested in programs that can
give our sons and daughters a strong start in life. I
was also proud to sign measures into law that equip
State and local governments with the tools to take on
abuse, like the CAPTA Reauthorization Act and the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.

Together, we are making important progress in stopping
child abuse and neglect. But we cannot let up--not when
children are still growing up looking for a lifeline,
and not when more than half a million young people are
robbed of their basic right to safety every year. So
this month, let us stand up for them and make their
voices heard. To learn more about ending child abuse
and how to get involved, visit www.ChildWelfare.gov/Preventing Preventing.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim April 2013 as
National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I call upon all
Americans to observe this month with programs and
activities that help prevent child abuse and provide
for children's physical, emotional, and developmental
needs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord two
thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
seventh.