TO RECOGNIZE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2021 AS "CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN HONOR OF THE IMPORTANT WORK DONE TO COMBAT THE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM OF CHILD MALTREATMENT.

Whereas, in 2020, 338,475 children were served by children's advocacy centers nationwide; and

Whereas, in 2020, children's advocacy centers throughout South Carolina served 10,001 child victims of abuse, providing victim advocacy and support services to them and their families. This represents a twenty-three percent increase in children served per year by children's advocacy centers in South Carolina over the past five years; and

Whereas, although neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment, victims also suffer year after year from physical abuse, sexual abuse, drug endangerment, commercial sexual exploitation, and psychological maltreatment; and

Whereas, children's advocacy centers seek to model, promote, and deliver excellence in child abuse response and prevention through direct service, education, collaboration, and leadership; and

Whereas, it is entirely appropriate for the South Carolina General Assembly to pause in its deliberations to underline the growing problem of child abuse and the serious impact its continued existence has on the citizens of South Carolina, as well as on those of the rest of the nation. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize Tuesday, April 7, 2021 as "Children's Advocacy Center Day" in South Carolina in honor of the important work done to combat the significant problem of child maltreatment.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Thomas Knapp, Executive Director of the South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers.