U.S. SENATOR PAUL WELLSTONE CHAMPIONS SENATE RESOLUTION FOR APRIL 23-30, 2000 NATIONAL SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME AWARENESS WEEK

For More Information Contact:

Kim Kang
Minnesota, (952) 249-1702 or
National (877) 6-END-SBS

For Immediate Release

U.S. SENATOR PAUL WELLSTONE CHAMPIONS SENATE RESOLUTION FOR APRIL 23-30, 2000 NATIONAL SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME AWARENESS WEEK

On April 27, 2000, United States Senate Resolution 300, designating a "National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week" was passed. U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone (Minnesota) sponsored this resolution along with the support of his wife, Sheila, who is a nationally recognized advocate in the area of domestic violence. In cooperation with Senator Wellstones office, The Shaken Baby Alliance lead this initiative with the support of The Childrens Defense Fund, American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Welfare League of America, Prevent Child Abuse America, Brain Injury Association, National Child Abuse Coalition, National Exchange Club Foundation, and many other organizations.

"On behalf of victim family members, professionals, and advocates across the United States, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Senator Wellstone for his commitment in getting this resolution passed," stated Kim Kang, President of The Shaken Baby Alliance and mother of a shaken baby syndrome victim. "Shaken baby syndrome is a devastating form of physical child abuse inflicted on the most defenseless members of our society-infants and toddlers." Our children are the most precious resource and we hope that others will actively participate in their communities to educate about the dangers of shaking young children, support families touched by shaken baby syndrome, and begin working toward adequate child abuse statutes, " she added.

Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs when a frustrated caregiver violently shakes a young child causing permanent brain damage or death. The outcomes for survivors typically include cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, seizures, learning/behavioral difficulties, and vegetative state. An alarming statistic shown in studies done by Dr. Jacy Showers is that between 25-50% of the general public did not know that shaking a child could be dangerous. Perpetrators of shaken baby syndrome typically include biological fathers (37%), boyfriends (20.5%), female baby-sitters (17.3%), and biological mothers (12.6%). It is estimated that 1,000-3,000 children are diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome annually, with thousands more misdiagnosed and undetected.

The Shaken Baby Alliance is an organization composed of victim family members and professionals who are dedicated to education of the general public and professionals and support for victims and their families in the health care and criminal justice systems.