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December 2003 Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE:
MCC Responds to Recent Shaken Baby Deaths and Injuries
MCC Director Jetta Bernier spoke at a December 3rd press conference called by Harry Spence, Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, in response to a series of recent high profile cases of babies killed or seriously injured by violent shaking. Since April DSS has investigated shaken baby cases in Lowell, Brockton, Methuen, Seekonk, Reading, Webster and Somerset.
Bernier spoke about the factors contributing to shaken baby cases, and stressed that they are preventable. In conjunction with the Central Massachusetts SBS Prevention Campaign, a Worcester community coalition funded by the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, MCC has developed an educational program for parents and professionals to reduce shaken baby cases. The MA SBS Prevention Center at MCC plans to expand the program into communities and hospitals that express interest. For more information contact MCC at 617-742-8555 ext. 2News Links to December 4th's Shaken Baby Syndrome Stories
"Increased Awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome" WBUR.org (12/16/03)
"A child's cry, then a death" The Sun Chronicle (12/5/03)
“Shaking spree spurs DSS alert” Boston Herald (12/4/03)
“Officials probe seventh shaken baby allegation” Boston Globe (12/4/03)
For More Information on Shaken Baby
Visit the Massachusetts SBS Prevention Center at: http://www.masskids.org/sbs/sbscenter1.htm
You Can Help MCC Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome
As the leading spokesgroup on SBS prevention in the state, MCC has reached thousands of parents, caregivers, professionals and other members of the public through the distribution of educational brochures, the coordination of community prevention projects and the promotion of SBS awareness on television and radio. Please consider supporting MCC so that we can continue to expand our SBS prevention efforts. To learn how, please visit: http://www.masskids.org/sbs/sbscenter_support.htm
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Massachusetts Campaign for Children
14 Beacon Street, Suite 706. Boston, MA 02108. 617-742-8555. campaign2@masskids.orgSarah Spurgeon, Campaign for Children Coordinator
sarah@masskids.org* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To subscribe to this newsletter please visit our web site at www.masskids.org, or send an email to subscribe@masskids.org. To unsubscribe please send an email to unsubscribe@masskids.org.
On November 12th, 2003, the Massachusetts Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Partnership held a press event at the State House to formally announce the selection of Gloucester, Newton and the nine-town North Quabbin area as the three local pilot site communities selected to serve as national pilots to implement innovative new strategies to prevent child sexual abuse. The US Centers for Disease Control, the agency funding the project, has called the Partnership's efforts trailblazing.
“This initiative is breaking new ground in two key ways. We are emphasizing the need to hold adults and communities, rather than children themselves, responsible, for preventing child sexual abuse. Consistent with that focus, we are developing prevention messages and teaching tools aimed at the general public; at parents, other adults and professionals; and importantly, at the family members and friends of potential perpetrators and active perpetrators. These will reflect the latest knowledge in the field and will educate these key groups not only about ways to recognize child sexual abuse but also how to respond appropriately. We are privileged that the communities of Newton, Gloucester and North Quabbin will be working with us to pilot these innovative approaches. We are convinced that what we learn in these pilot communities over the next two years will increase knowledge in the field and translate into specific action steps for other communities in Massachusetts and in the nation as a whole,” remarked Jetta Bernier, Chair of the Partnership and Executive Director of Massachusetts Citizens for Children.
State Senator Steven Brewer, as well as State Representatives Ruth Balser and Christopher Donelan from the districts of the three selected communities, were on hand to congratulate their constituents.
In a statement provided to the Partnership, Lt. Governor Kerry Healy said, “This new initiative puts Massachusetts in a position to set the national standard. Our children should be afforded a childhood that is emotionally and physically secure. This is why the Partnership’s work is critical to the future of our Commonwealth’s children.”
Local coalitions within the selected communities include the Gloucester Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Partnership, the Newton Partnership to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, and the CARE (Comprehensive Assault Reduction Effort) Task Force of the North Quabbin Community Coalition. Within the coming year, these coalitions will be hosting training programs that will educate the public, parents, professionals and other community members about how to identify potential offenders and situations that may pose risks to children. For information about getting involved in one of these coalitions, please contact the Partnership at 617-742-8555, ext x3.
To read Lt. Governor Kerry Healey’s Statement of Support, or to view the MCSAPP Photo Album highlighting the press event, please visit the MCSAPP Home Page
Survey Shows Strong Interest in Prevention Training
43% of adults in the MCSAPP pilot site communities of Newton, Gloucester and North Quabbin said they would be “very likely” (15%) or “somewhat likely” (28%) to participate in child sexual abuse prevention training programs in their community. 83% of adults also said that child sexual abuse is “definitely” (23%) or “somewhat” (60%) preventable. Both findings give strong support and guidance to the MCSAPP approach to prevention by increasing adult awareness and responsibility through training and public education initiatives. The telephone survey was the second in a series of benchmark and tracking surveys on public opinion about child sexual abuse and prevention conducted for the Partnership by the University of Massachusetts Poll and Massachusetts Kids Count.
MCC Staff appointed to Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence
Governor Mitt Romney has recently appointed MCC’s Executive Director, Jetta Bernier, and the Massachusetts Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Partnership Coordinator, Megan Lewis Freedman, as Commissioners of the Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence. Formed in May of this year, the Commission is charged with making recommendations to the Lieutenant Governor and the Secretaries of Public Safety and Health and Human Services on all aspects of sexual and domestic violence in the Commonwealth.
Holiday KidPins™ and KidPin Ornaments Are Here!
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, MCC is selling adorable pins and ornaments—the perfect gift for that special someone in your life. Kid Pins™ are uniquely hand crafted by professional artists using high quality colorful jewelry clay. Each pin is presented on a brightly colored card, with a story representing a child affected by MCC's work, facts about MCC, and data about the status of children in Massachusetts. Visit the KidPin Homepage to get more details.Here’s a new way to do your holiday shopping and support Massachusetts’ children at the same time! Massachusetts Citizens for Children has teamed up with iGive.org to provide you a new and fun way to donate—shopping! When you shop online through iGive.org, you can choose from over 400 stores like Target, Land’s End, Barnes & Noble, and Pet Smart. The service is free and up to 26% of your purchase will be donated to MCC. To register, simply visit http://www.iGive.com/MassKids. From then on, every purchase you make online by going through iGive.com will help MCC.
MCC Launches College Intern Program
MCC has launched a college internship program to engage public-service oriented students in the field of child advocacy. MCC recognizes that student interns contribute unique talents, skills, and knowledge to the organization and can help further the agency’s mission. In return, MCC believes that our internships provide students the opportunity to strengthen their community and explore non-profit work as a career. For current openings, please visit the MCC Internship Homepage
Massachusetts
Citizens for Children
14 Beacon Street, Suite 706 ~ Boston, MA 02108
phone: 617-742-8555 ~ fax: 617-742-7808 ~ www.masskids.org