OK Senate: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

 OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given approval to Senate Resolution 12, by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Sen. Rosino urged Oklahomans to take note of a display of more than a thousand American flags on the south lawn of the state Capitol.

“In all, there are 1,084 flags representing children in the U.S. who lost their lives in 2019 as a result of abuse and neglect.  There are also 29 Oklahoma flags representing the deaths of children in our own state,” Rosino said. “When you see all those flags blowing in the wind, it’s hard to grasp that every single one represents the life of a child ended by abuse and neglect, but I believe bringing attention to these terrible losses is key to finding ways to better protect children here in Oklahoma and throughout the country.”

SR 12 states that research shows safe, nurturing relationships and stimulating, stable environments improve brain development and child wellbeing, while neglectful or abusive experiences and unstable or stressful environments increase the odds of poor childhood outcomes, and can cause severe, costly and lifelong problems, including physical and mental health problems, school failure and criminal behavior.

“We have about a million children in Oklahoma.  The problems resulting from abuse and neglect not only impact the children, but the entire family, our communities and our state as a whole,” Rosino said.  “We know that parents and caregivers who have social networks and reach out for help are more resilient and better able to provide healthy environments for their children.  I’m grateful for the efforts of organizations, like Parent Promise, which help strengthen Oklahoma families.  Preventing child abuse must be a priority for all of us.”

For more information, contact:  Sen. Paul Rosino at 405-521-5618 or email [email protected].