Governor Proclaims Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Prevention Month

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, children represent the future of our communities; ensuring their safety, well-being, and healthy development is not just a moral imperative, but a foundation for building strong, thriving communities across North Carolina; and

Whereas, all children need to grow up in nurturing environments to promote healthy physical, emotional, and mental development; and

Whereas, the most recent data and statistics in North Carolina indicate that there are more than 115,000 investigated reports of possible child abuse or neglect annually in our state; and

Whereas, child abuse and neglect is preventable, and the responsibility to protect our children lies with every family or community member, organization, and leader; and

Whereas, communities that have the resources they need to provide families with the tools and knowledge that support positive parenting, and child development can reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect, while promoting parental and family resilience; and

Whereas, children who live in families with access to concrete economic and social supports are less likely to experience abuse and neglect; and

Whereas, collaboration among parents and caregivers, educators, health care providers, faith-based organizations, local businesses, social service agencies, law enforcement, and community groups is essential for creating the safe and supportive environments children need to thrive; and

Whereas, the State of North Carolina recognizes that preventing child abuse improves lives and makes North Carolina stronger and healthier; and

Whereas, during Child Abuse Prevention Month, we recognize the importance of promoting the protective factors – parental resilience, social connections, concrete support in times of need, knowledge of parenting and child development, and the social-emotional competence of children — that help to create a better future for all children;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 2025, as “Child Abuse Prevention Month” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.