§ 481-a. Legislative findings and purpose. For the past decade,
society has witnessed broad changes in family structure. These changes
have created unique stresses on our children as well as on those who
care for them. Among the most dire results of family stresses is the
increasing frequency of child abuse and maltreatment, represented by a
steady increase in reports of abuse and maltreatment to the statewide
central register of child abuse and maltreatment. Additionally nearly
one-fifth of homicides, and an even larger proportion of assaults occur
within the home between members of families. Among the contributing
causes of family violence are economic stress, social isolation, drug
and alcohol abuse, parental attitude regarding discipline and child
rearing, as well as acceptance of violence as a way of life. The
reported incidents of both adult domestic violence and child abuse and
maltreatment ( including intergenerational family violence) represent
only a portion of the total number of incidents in the pervasive and
persistent problem of family violence. The development and support of
prevention programs for child abuse and maltreatment and domestic
violence (including intergenerational family violence) and services to
victims of family violence is, therefore, of major importance to the
state.

It is the intent of the legislature that the funds for the William B.
Hoyt Memorial children and family trust fund shall be a new source of
funding which shall increase the funds available for prevention and
treatment services to victims of family violence. The legislature does
not intend that these funds be used as a substitute for any funds
currently available from federal, state or local sources for the
provision of prevention or treatment services to these victims.