Nothing is more important than the safety, protection and development of our children.

The best insurance a parent or primary care provider has to ensure that children don't become involved in a violent crime is a consistent message of love and affection, delivered over the long term. This kind of nurturing will facilitate the development of self esteem and promote the self-esteem necessary to form the positive identity essential to avoid drugs, crime and abuse.

For far too long, the burden of child safety has rested on the shoulders of our children.

This abdication of responsibility has led to ever-increasing numbers of children at risk of abuse, abduction and neglect. If we are to truly affect the safety of children, we must adopt a national policy that addresses this issue from the President's cabinet to the family kitchen. By prioritizing legislative, community and family efforts, we can offer our children the opportunities our parents provided to us: a chance to grow up into productive citizens without a veil of fear.