Bill Text: SC S0603 | 2013-2014 | 120th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-04-10 - Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs [S0603 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2013-S0603-Introduced.html
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
TO DESIGNATE THE THIRD WEEK IN APRIL 2013 AS "SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME AWARENESS WEEK" FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING AWARENESS REGARDING SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME AND TO COMMEND THE HOSPITALS, CHILD CARE COUNCILS, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT EDUCATE PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS ON HOW TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM ABUSE.
Whereas, the month of April has been designated "National Child Abuse Prevention Month," an annual tradition initiated in 1979 by former President Jimmy Carter; and
Whereas, the most recent National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System figures reveal that more than 750,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in the United States in 2010, causing unspeakable pain and suffering to our most vulnerable citizens; and
Whereas, among the children who are victims of abuse and neglect, nearly four children die in the United States each day; and
Whereas, children aged one year or younger accounted for 48 percent of all child abuse and neglect fatalities in 2010, and children aged four years or younger accounted for 79 percent of all child abuse and neglect fatalities in 2010; and
Whereas, abusive head trauma, including the trauma known as "Shaken Baby Syndrome," is recognized as the leading cause of death of physically abused children; and
Whereas, Shaken Baby Syndrome can result in loss of vision, brain damage, paralysis, seizures, or death; and
Whereas, a 2003 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated that in the United States an average of 300 children will die each year and 600 to 1,200 more will be injured as a result of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Two thirds of these will be babies or infants under the age of one year, and many cases will result in severe and permanent disabilities; and
Whereas, medical professionals believe thousands of additional cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome are misdiagnosed or not detected; and
Whereas, Shaken Baby Syndrome may result in more than one million dollars in medical costs to care for a single disabled child in just the first few years of life; and
Whereas, the most effective solution for ending Shaken Baby Syndrome is to prevent the abuse, and it is clear that the minimal costs of education and prevention programs may prevent enormous medical and disability costs and immeasurable amounts of grief for many families; and
Whereas, prevention programs have demonstrated that educating new parents about the danger of shaking young children and how they can help protect their child from injury can bring about a significant reduction in the number of cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome; and
Whereas, education programs have been shown to raise awareness and provide critically important information about Shaken Baby Syndrome to parents, caregivers, daycare workers, child protection employees, law enforcement personnel, healthcare professionals, and legal representatives; and
Whereas, efforts to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome are supported by advocacy groups across the United States that were formed by parents and relatives of children who have been killed or injured by shaking, including the National Shaken Baby Coalition; the Shaken Baby Association; the Shaking Kills: Instead Parents Please Educate and Remember Initiative, commonly known as the "SKIPPER Initiative"; the Shaken Baby Alliance; Shaken Baby Prevention, Inc.; A Voice for Gabbi; Don't Shake Jake; the Kierra Harrison Foundation; and the Hannah Rose Foundation, all of which share the mission to educate the general public and professionals about Shaken Baby Syndrome and to increase support for victims and the families of the victims in the healthcare and criminal justice systems; and
Whereas, child abuse prevention programs and "National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week" are supported by the National Shaken Baby Coalition, the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, the Children's Defense Fund, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Child Welfare League of America, Prevent Child Abuse America, the National Child Abuse Coalition, the National Exchange Club Foundation, the American Humane Association, the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, the Arc of the United States, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Children's Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Family Partnership, Family Voices, National Alliance of Children's Trust and Prevention Funds, United Cerebral Palsy, the National Association of Children's Hospitals and related institutions, Never Shake a Baby Arizona, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, the Center for Child Protection and Family Support, and many other organizations; and
Whereas, a 2000 survey by Prevent Child Abuse America shows that approximately half of all citizens of the United States believe that of all the public health issues facing the United States, child abuse and neglect is the most important issue; and
Whereas, it is entirely appropriate to observe the third week of April 2013 as "Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week." Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, designate the third week of April 2013 as "Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week" for the purpose of raising awareness regarding Shaken Baby Syndrome and commend the hospitals, child care councils, schools, and other organizations that educate parents and caregivers on how to protect children from abuse.
