GUERNSEY – During the April 1 meeting of the Guernsey town council, Mayor Ed Delgado and the council showed their support for the community’s children.
The mayor read and signed a proclamation regarding Child Abuse Prevention Month, which stated the following:
Whereas, prevention [of child abuse] is possible. With the right policies and investments, families and children can thrive and avoid contact with child welfare and other costly systems; and
Whereas, every family and child is filled with tremendous promise, and we all have a collective responsibility to prevent adverse childhood experiences, foster the potential of every child, and promote positive childhood experiences; and
Whereas, positive childhood experiences (PCEs) – such as loving caregivers and safe, stable, and nurturing relationships – play a vital role in helping children thrive by mitigating trauma and the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs); and
Whereas, families who receive the support they need before a crisis occurs are better equipped to provide safe, healthy, and nurturing environments, leading to children who are safer, healthier, and more hopeful about their futures; and

Whereas, childhood trauma, including abuse and neglect, can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects throughout an individual’s lifetime and impact future generations; and
Whereas, primary prevention of child abuse and neglect can reduce the lifetime economic burden associated with child maltreatment; and
Whereas, strengthening families throughout an individual’s lifetime and impact future generations; and
Whereas, primary prevention of child abuse and neglect can reduce the lifetime economic burden associated with child maltreatment; and
Whereas, strengthening families through access to concrete economic, social, and community-based supports reduces the likelihood of abuse and neglect and ensures children have the foundation for lifelong well-being; and
Whereas, effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community – and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families; and
Whereas, communities must make every effort to promote programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and families; and
Whereas, we acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse, and contribute to promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment; and
Whereas, investments in prevention initiatives – such as home visiting programs, family-strengthening policies, economic supports, and community-based child abuse prevention efforts – are essential to building safer, healthier communities for children and families; ad
Whereas, prevention remains the best defense for our children and families,
Now, therefore I, Ed Delgado, mayor of Guernsey, do hereby proclaim April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Guernsey and urge all citizens to recognize this month by dedicating ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and families.
Together, we can create a state where every child can grow up happy, healthy, and safe – with hope for their future.