WHEREAS, April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time for all of us to come together to raise awareness of this critical issue and renew our commitment to protecting children from harm; and

WHEREAS, the children of Salt Lake City are the future of our state’s success, and investing in their general welfare, safety, and livelihood is of utmost priority; and

WHEREAS, all children deserve to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment to assure they reach their full potential as they grow and develop; and

WHEREAS, the protection of children and strengthening of families is of concern and

responsibility of all Salt Lake City citizens because the wellness of children affects our lives now and will continue to affect us in the future; and

WHEREAS, child abuse is a serious problem with 9,695 confirmed child victims in the State of Utah, last fiscal year with each of those cases impacting an entire family and affecting the community as a whole; and

WHEREAS, child abuse respects no racial, religious, socio-economic, or geographic boundaries; and

WHEREAS, prevention is the best way to combat child abuse and neglect, and everyone has a role to play in creating safe and supportive communities for children; and

WHEREAS, I urge all residents to join me in working to prevent child abuse and neglect, to support families in our community, and to help ensure that every child can grow up healthy, safe, and strong.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Erin Mendenhall, Mayor of Salt Lake City, proclaim April 2023 as:

Child Abuse Prevention Month in Salt Lake City

To view the electronically signed copy of the proclamation, click here.