921 11Th Street, Suite 1100, Sacramento CA 95814

American Academy of Pediatrics, California 921 11th Street, Suite 1100, Sacramento CA 95814 Phone (626) 796 1632 | Fax (626) 628-3382 Email [email protected] | Website www.AAP-CA.org AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, CALIFORNIA

April 4, 2016

Assembly Member Cooley 1020 N Street, Room 3146 Sacramento, CA 94249 Fax: (916) 319-2108

RE: AB 1883 (Cooley) Child Sexual Abuse: Prevention Pilot Program AAP-CA Position: Support

Dear Assembly Member Cooley:

The American Academy of Pediatrics, California (AAP-CA) representing over 5,000 California pediatricians strongly supports your bill AB 1883. This bill would establish the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program as a pilot program to provide child sexual abuse prevention and intervention services through public or private nonprofit programs that provide those services.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau report Child Maltreatment 2010 found that 9.2% of victimized children were sexually assaulted. A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness and an abnormal or distorted view of sex. The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, those who suffer from unhealthy relationships in their youth are more likely to engage in smoking, heavy drinking, and to experience symptoms of depression and thoughts of suicide.

By promoting ongoing efforts of collaboration between public and private sectors, AB 1883 would help ensure better access to safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. This bill would prioritize public and private nonprofit agencies that are eligible for funding to existing programs that have demonstrated effectiveness in child sexual abuse prevention or intervention or commercial sexual exploitation prevention or intervention.

California pediatricians support AB 1883, as it is consistent with AAP-CA priority on promoting childhood abuse prevention. Thank you for your public service and leadership on behalf of the health and well being of children, youth, and families in California. Sincerely,

Kris Calvin Chief Executive Officer American Academy of Pediatrics, California

CC: AAP-CA Leadership, Lydia Bourne

The American Academy of Pediatrics, California (AAP-CA) is a 501(c) 4 nonprofit organization, legally incorporated separately from the National American Academy of Pediatrics.