CHILD ABUSE

WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect incidents have increased markedly over the past few years; and

WHEREAS, in many states there is no mechanism to protect school personnel from legal and/or disciplinary action by parent or school authorities if they report such abuse or neglect; and

WHEREAS, school personnel and school systems have been increasingly criticized for their failure to respond to incidents of child abuse and neglect:

RESOLVED, that the AFT cooperate with other national organizations in increasing public awareness of child abuse and neglect problems, sponsor workshops and seminars among our members and, where necessary, seek regulations and/or legislation to protect school personnel from legal and/or disciplinary actions where they report child abuse and neglect.