Section 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.