Middlesex Child Advocacy Center Announces New Initiative

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the term for the devastating injuries caused when very young children are shaken violently by caretakers. With weak neck muscles, disproportionately heavy heads and fragile brains, young children who are shaken roughly can suffer a range of damage from seizures to paralysis to death. It is believed that victims are usually shaken by their caretakers out of anger or frustration, likely because the victims would not stop crying.

Despite general awareness of the syndrome among medical, social service and even law enforcement professionals, it is by no means clear that much if any systematized training on the dangers of shaking a baby is available to parents and other caretakers. The Middlesex Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is therefore endeavoring to develop and disseminate information on the causes and dangers of SBS. One particular but not exclusive area of focus will be on young caretakers, who might be more prone to anger and frustration when caring for very young children. Among the efforts will be concerted outreach to schools and community-based organizations which might provide babysitter or child care training for younger caretakers such as students. Community-based organizations might include Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA/YWCA programs, and other such places. The Middlesex CAC plans to develop lesson plans and other educational material on the syndrome for use in the health class curriculum, and for presentation at out-of-school trainings. Some public schools already have creative child care education and practice programs, and we hope to supplement those programs with specific work on SBS.

The Middlesex CAC's efforts will not be confined to young caretakers alone. We hope to reach all kinds of parents, grandparents and other caregivers incidentally through the school and community organization outreach efforts, and more directly whenever opportunity arises. Although plans are just developing, we hope to reach out to county hospitals and pediatric practices over time. It should be noted that a pilot program for SBS has been in effect for some time in Worcester County, and it is anticipated that this pilot will be expanded statewide in the near future.

For more information on this and other initiatives, please contact the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, Child Abuse Division at 617-591-7700.