4.2 Child Abuse Prevention MontTO THE PEOPLE OF SALINA, GREETINGS
WHEREAS, the incidence and prevalence of child abuse and
neglect is increasing at an alarming rate; and
WHEREAS, an estimated two million children nationwide will
become victims of child abuse and neglect this year; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 2,000 children in the country will
die this year; and
WHEREAS, reports of child abuse and neglect in Saline
County last year totaled 703; and
WHEREAS, many dedicated individuals and private organizations
such as Salina Coalition for Prevention of Child Abuse and Parents
and Children Together of Salina are working to counter this trend
by preventing the destructive pattern of child abuse and neglect;
and
WHEREAS, the average cost of a public welfare agency child
abuse program is twenty times greater than the cost of a self-
help program sponsored by a private organization; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to focus our .attention on the
devastating circumstances that surround this problem in our city,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Merle Hodges, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
SALINA, do hereby proclaim the month of April, 1986 as
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
in Salina, in recognition of the committed individuals and
organizations in our city who are making a tremendous effort
toward alleviating the problem of child abuse and neglect in
the city of Salinao