May. 05, 2026
HARRISBURG – Rep. Brenda Pugh (R-Luzerne) today announced the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed, with bipartisan support and a nearly unanimous vote, her
House Resolution 195. The resolution formally designates April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“Children are our most precious resource. They deserve to be loved and protected and grow up in an environment that is free from abuse and neglect,” Pugh said. “By recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Pennsylvania, we can bring attention to the prevalence of child abuse and acknowledge the importance of working together to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.”
In recent years, over 40,000 reports of suspected child abuse were received in Pennsylvania, with almost 60 substantiated fatalities. In the United States, an estimated 558,899 children were victims of abuse and neglect in 2022, the most recent year for which there is national data.
“Because abuse and neglect often happen behind closed doors, many families struggle silently with stress, isolation or limited support,” Pugh continued. “When we understand the signs of abuse and know how to respond, we become part of a community that actively protects its children.
“Prevention is not only about stopping harm, but also about strengthening families. By encouraging positive connections, supporting mental-health resources, and offering compassion instead of judgment, we help create environments where children can thrive. I encourage each of us to act and learn the signs, support local family-strengthening programs, speak up when something doesn’t seem right and be a source of encouragement to the children and parents in your life. Together, through awareness and action, we can help ensure every child grows up safe, supported and valued,” Pugh concluded.
Representative Brenda Pugh
120th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Melissa Fox
717.260.6522
mefox@pahousegop.com
RepPugh.com / Facebook.com/RepBrendaPugh