To All Members of the United States Congress:

The problem of child abuse and neglect continues to plague our nation. In 2010, there were nearly 700,000 confirmed victims of abuse or neglect nationwide, including 1,560 children who were killed as a result. The true number is actually significantly higher, since many incidents are never reported. Almost 80 percent of children who died from maltreatment in 2010 were under age 3 and almost half never reached their first birthday.

These numbers should shock the conscience of every American, including all members of Congress.

Child abuse and neglect also increases future crime. Survivors of abuse or neglect often carry emotional scars for life, and research has shown they are almost 30 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime. The cycle of abuse can also continue, with evidence suggesting that an estimated one third of adults with a history of abuse may harm their own children.

Research shows that investing in high-quality programs proven to prevent child abuse has a powerful impact on reducing later crime. The more than 5,000 law enforcement leaders and crime survivors of FIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS nationwide know from the front lines against crime that child abuse is a serious public safety concern. We have launched a yearlong, national campaign to raise awareness of the devastating impact that child abuse and neglect has on our communities, and to draw attention to research-proven approaches to help prevent such tragedies.

Voluntary, evidence-based home visiting programs can help break the cycle of abuse and violence. Eligible families can receive these voluntary services to learn more about their child’s health, nutrition and physical, psychological and emotional development. One rigorous study of the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) found that participation in the program cut abuse and neglect among at-risk kids nearly in half. In addition, children of mothers who received NFP coaching had 60 percent fewer arrests by age 15 than children of similar mothers who were not coached. By age 19, children not in NFP had nearly three times as many convictions, concentrated among girls, as children from similar families who were not served.

These services also save money. A 2011 study of NFP by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy found NFP produced almost $21,000 in net savings per family served. Unfortunately, throughout the nation, there is still a significant unmet need for these services, which leaves more children at risk for abuse or neglect.

Each signature below represents one of us standing up for each of the 1,560 children who died from abuse or neglect in one year, and the hundreds of thousands more who suffer from abuse and neglect every year. We urge you to stand up for public safety by protecting and building upon current investments in voluntary, home visiting programs proven through research to stop the cycle of child abuse and neglect, reduce crime and violence and save money.

America can and must do more to prevent child abuse and neglect. From a fiscal, moral and public safety perspective, we have an obligation to invest in home visiting and protect children from the harm caused by abuse and neglect.

Perry Antone
Chief of Police, Brewer

Patricia Arnaudin
Chief of Police, Oqunquit

Butch Asselin
Chief of Police, Houlton

Donald Bolduc
Acting Chief of Police, Millinocket

Bruce Boucher
Chief of Police, Rockland

Todd Brackett
Sheriff, Lincoln County

Douglas Bracy
Chief of Police, York

David Brooks
Chief of Police, Lisbon

Michael Bussiere
Chief of Police, Lewiston

William Campbell
Chief of Police, Fort

David Chapias
Chief of Police, Southwest Harbor

Joseph Charron
Chief of Police, Cumberland

William Clark
Sheriff, Hancock County

Troy Cline
Chief of Police, Wiscasset

Kevin Conger
Chief of Police, University of Southern Maine

Douglas Conroy
Chief of Police, Washburn

Michael Coty
Director of Security, Maine Court System

Philip Crowell, Jr.
Chief of Police, Auburn

Guy Desjardins
Sheriff, Androscoggin County

Dennis Dyer
Chief of Police, Dover-Foxcroft

John L. Emery
Chief of Police, Fairfield

Jeffrey Fenlason
Chief of Police, Winslow

Mike Field
Chief of Police, Bath

Michael Gahagan
Chief of Police, Caribou;
President, Maine Chiefs of Police Association

Wayne Gallant
Sheriff, Oxford County

Ronald Gastia
Chief of Police, Bangor

Jason Gayne
Reserve Officer, Skowhegan Police Department

Sean Geagan
Chief of Police, Bucksport

Ed Googins
Chief of Police, South Portland

Glenn Grant
Chief of Police, Gouldsboro

Robert Gregoire
Chief of Police, Augusta

Jeff Gross
Chief of Police, Mechanic Falls

Michael Grovo
Chief of Police, Buxton

Jerry Hinton
Chief of Police (Ret.), Brunswick

Matt Irwin
Chief of Police, Presque Isle

Kevin Joyce
Sheriff, Cumberland County

Roland LaCroix
Public Safety Director, University of Maine

Richard LaHaye
Chief of Police, Searsport

Chris Lewis
Lieutenant, Tospham Police Department

Mark Leonard
Chief of Police, Veazie

Randall A. Liberty
Sheriff, Kennebec County

Joseph Massey
Chief of Police, Waterville

Joel Merry
Sheriff, Sagadahoc County

Cyr Martin
Chief of Police, Ashland

Barry Moores
Chief of Police, Madison

Mike Morrill
Chief of Police, Yarmouth

Troy Morton
Chief Deputy, Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office

Robert Moulton
Chief of Police, Scarborough

Kevin Muherin
Chief of Police, Monmouth