Ensure Children Have Safe and Healthy Homes

The following is what I wrote in addition to my signature on a petition regarding The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) which was passed in 1974 because of increasing public awareness of the need to ensure the safety and welfare of children. The petition included information and stats about how each year, almost 1 million American children experience physical, sexual and emotinal abuse and pure neglect. The information gathered also shoed how approximately 1400 children are killed each year from abuse, most of whom are under the age of one. Every five years, CAPTA gets reauthorized. In 2008, it was up for review again and Bush had already cut many important human service programs in this year's budget (including domestic violence and juvenile justice funds).
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Every child is deserving of love, encouragement, peace, and respect. To deny them of that is an outrage. By not supporting any laws that support the welfare of our children and by allowing those who live in abuse and/or neglect, you are telling them "You are not worthy." You are telling them that they are not important enough to save and to give them a chance at a future that other children take for granted. You are telling them you condone this type of treatment. Why? Why would you allow this to go on? Why would you step to the side and turn blind eye and a deaf ear to their cries for help? Step up and do what others won't. Support this bill. Show compassion. Isn't that what you would want if you were in their shoes? Or do we want more children to live as David Pelzer grew up, thinking this is the norm? Believing that the police will just take you home to the one who abuses you rather than shower you with love. Step up. Make a difference. It's our only hope.