Assemblymember Hall and Book Author Norwood Young Announce Resolution Declaring

April 2011 Child Abuse Prevention Month

Hall and Young (join community organizations) in raising awareness of child abuse prevention

LOS ANGELES – Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III (D- Los Angeles) today joined book author and recording artist Norwood Young (and child abuse prevention advocates) to announce the introduction of Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 24, declaring April 2011 Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Mr. Young, sponsor of ACR 24, is the author of the book, “Getting Back to My Me”, which chronicles his personal journey as a survivor of childhood physical and sexual abuse. Mr. Young was recently named national spokesman for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and suggested introduction of ACR 24 to Assemblymember Hall as an important step to raise awareness of efforts made throughout California to prevent child abuse and as a way to break the often deadly cycle between child abuse and domestic violence.

Child abuse and neglect negatively impacts the lives of millions of Americans and their communities. In 2009, nearly six million American children suffered some form of abuse, ranging from neglect, physical, sexual and/or psychological abuse. In California, nearly 75,000 cases of abuse or neglect were reported in 2009.

Various laws have been passed to protect children from abuse and to provide abuse survivors with counseling and support services. Unfortunately, tragic incidents of child abuse highlight the need for continued vigilance and a commitment from the public and community organizations to work collaboratively to prevent child abuse in the future.

“This resolution raises important public awareness and creates a needed dialogue among the public to help prevent future incidents of child abuse, gives a voice to children currently suffering abuse and gives hope to survivors of child abuse that assistance is available to mend the wounds of abuse,” said Assemblymember Hall.

ACR 24 is scheduled for a vote by the California State Assembly on Monday, April 4, 2011.