October 4, 2025: TEN-4 DAY

WHEREAS, Children under age 4 are at a higher risk of serious physical injury or death as a result of child abuse; and,

WHEREAS, nationally, there are approximately 100,000 victims of child physical abuse each year and in 2024 there were 4,451 substantiated cases of physical child abuse in Michigan. Physical child abuse is a serious public health problem; and,

WHEREAS, recognizing the earliest signs of physical child abuse may prevent tragic outcomes; and,

WHEREAS, bruising is the most common and visible sign of physical child abuse; and,

WHEREAS, the bruising clinical decision rule known as TEN-4-FACESp can help screen children at risk for abuse by identifying bruising characteristics that have been demonstrated to determine abusive from accidental injuries; and,

WHEREAS, TEN-4-FACESp helps screen children 4 years of age and under with bruising, to identify when a bruise is more likely to be caused by abuse than accidental injury. TEN-4-FACESp stands for bruising to the Torso, Ears, Neck, Frenulum, Angle of the jaw, Cheeks, Eyelids, or Subconjuctivae. The “4” also represents infants 4 months and younger with any bruise, anywhere, and p represents the presence of patterned bruising; and,

WHEREAS, the majority of physical child abuse victims are younger than four years of age, a vulnerable population whose safety and well-being relies on adults to intervene and protect;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim, October 4, 2025, as TEN-4 DAY in Michigan.