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PURPLE Program Decreased Infant Physical Abuse by 30% in BC, Canada
The Period of PURPLE Crying shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma prevention program shows an additional benefit in preventing general physical abuse
(British Columbia, Canada and Farmington, UT, USA) - According to the Canadian General Social Survey 2014, a national survey of self-reported victimization, 26% of respondents identified having experienced physical abuse or witnessed physical abuse before age 15. Physical abuse among children is defined as any physical force or action that results or could result, in injury to a child by a caregiver. The Period of PURPLE Crying program was implemented in British Columbia (BC), Canada in 2009, in an effort to prevent infant traumatic head injury due to child maltreatment (THI-CM) commonly known as shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT).
In a 2018 study, an 8-year evaluation showed the Period of PURPLE Crying program was associated with a 35% reduction in THI-CM hospitalization rates among children aged 0-24 months after it was implemented in BC. “Because THI-CM is a subset of physical abuse, we hypothesized that if the program reduced THI-CM hospitalizations, it may have also reduced physical abuse hospitalizations,” said the program director, Dr. Ian Pike.
And they were right. The research team recently published a manuscript in the Canadian Journal of Nursing Research demonstrating hospitalization rates for physical abuse, for children 24 months of age or younger in BC, decreased by 30% after the Period of PURPLE Crying program was universally implemented.
“The Period of PURPLE Crying teaches parents and other caregivers that inconsolable crying in a baby that starts at two weeks of age, peaks or is the most at about two months of age and ends at about four to five months is a normal part of a baby’s development,” says Danielle Vazquez, executive director of the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) located in Farmington, Utah. The NCSBS, in partnership with Developmental Pediatrician Dr. Ronald G. Barr, developed the Period of PURPLE Crying program.
Inconsolable crying is the number one trigger for SBS/AHT. This most often occurs when a parent or caregiver gets so frustrated with the baby’s crying that they become angry and shake the baby or injure the baby in a way that causes serious brain injury.
“The program's key messages emphasize that crying is a normal and healthy way for infants to communicate and provides parents with tools and strategies for responding to crying in a positive and supportive way. So, it makes sense that the Period of PURPLE Crying key messages such as putting the baby down to take a break when you get frustrated with the crying, that all babies go through this period of increased crying, and that it’s ok if you can’t stop the baby’s crying, would work to help reduce the frustration that can lead to physical abuse,” says Dr. Pike.
The organization Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome British Columbia (PSBSBC) housed with the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit oversaw the implementation of the Period of PURPLE Crying program in all birthing healthcare institutions in BC. Nurses are given training on the Period of PURPLE Crying as part of their onboarding process. Maternity nurses spend approximately five minutes providing PURPLE education to parents of new babies, and public health/community nurses communicate key messages during infant follow-up appointments. PSBSBC provides continuous training support and ensures that those who provide the PURPLE program to families are following best practices.
“The ability to make the Period of PURPLE Crying program universal in BC as well as the diligence of the nurses who provide the program to new families was critical to the program’s success,” says Dr. Pike.
Read the study abstract online at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08445621231222527
About the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
Founded in 2000, the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) is a non-profit 501(c)3 public charity with a mission to “The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome commits to prevent shaken baby syndrome / abusive head trauma and promote the well-being of infants through supporting and educating families, caregivers and professionals.”
The NCSBS works nationally and internationally with hospitals, public health, pediatricians, social workers, home visitors and other similarly aligned individuals and organizations to provide education and resources to families and professionals that will ultimately keep babies safe. The NCSBS is a leader in the development of shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT) prevention programs, training courses and public education campaigns. Each year, the National Center's resources and services reach over a million people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.dontshake.org.
About Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome British Columbia
Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC (PSBSBC) is a program of the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit at BC Children’s Hospital. PSBSBC delivers a primary prevention program to reduce the incidence of shaken baby syndrome in British Columbia. We do this by providing timely, relevant, and scientifically sound information to parents, caregivers, and professionals involved in THI-CM cases, including: maternity nurses, health care professionals, and social workers.
PSBSBC was created out of the BC Children’s Hospital Steering Committee on Shaken Baby Syndrome that formed in early 2003 to examine the need and potential of a standardized prevention program for BC. A provincial environmental scan was completed, followed by a large three-year randomized-controlled trial. It was determined that the Period of PURPLE Crying® program (PURPLE) was the best program to educate new parents and caregivers. PSBSBC has been implementing the PURPLE program in throughout BC since 2009, resulting in reducing the rate of THI-CM/SBS in BC. For more information visit https://dontshake.ca.
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Great childhoods require a loving and supporting environment. Studies show that children who are raised in supportive and stable environments are more academically and financially successful, and great childhoods help children grow into productive, contributing adults who help their community.
The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, in partnership with FanX, will create awareness for Play for Prevention, a campaign designed to create awareness of child abuse prevention and encourage Utah communities, parents and childcare providers to celebrate kids through engagement and play. There are so many opportunities for you to get out and play with your children. If you're looking for some ideas, here are just a few:
- Go for a bike ride - Take a walk around the neighborhood - Go on a hike - Take the family to the park - Play a game of catch - Go fishing at a local fishing pond - Play a board game - Break out the camping games Join us at FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention
to Play for Prevention in the KidCon area on September 5, 6 and 7, 2019 at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
Take a selfie in a life-size action figure box and play to win amazing kid-friendly experiences from campaign supporters like Dave & Busters, Hogle Zoo and more!
Raffle tickets will be available for purchase in the KidCon area of FanX to win many of the amazing prizes. All proceeds from ticket sales will be used for child abuse prevention programs/initatives across Utah.
*Children 9 and older will require their own VIP Pass to use VIP Perks. If you have a VIP Pass, two children 8 years old and younger per VIP Pass will be allowed to attend panels and use express lines as a VIP pass holder.
**For children ages 9 through high school, we suggest you purchase a Discounted Student Pass.
Child Abuse in Utah
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A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds in the United States according to data compiled by Childhelp, and the abuse can have catastrophic impact upon its victims. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressful or traumatic events that include verbal, physical, or sexual abuse, neglect, as well as family dysfunction (e.g. substance abusing family members, witnessing domestic violence or parental separation or divorce). Children who have a high ACEs score are more likely to:
- Drink alcohol underage
- Have mental and substance abuse disorders
- Use tobacco
- Abuse prescription drugs
- Have a lifetime of illicit drug use
- Are 2-5 times more likely to commit suicide
- Suffer from depression
- Have sleep disorders
- Participate in high risk-sexual behaviors
- Increased risk of fetal mortality
- Have higher risk of pregnancy complications
UTAH STATISTICS
Child abuse cases in Utah have been steadily climbing over the last several years with the Utah Department of Child and Family Services reporting more than 10,000 cases of child abuse in their 2018 annual report. Thirty-seven percent of victims were under the age of 5 with the most commonly reported types of abuse being child endangerment and sexual abuse.
The good news is that child abuse can be prevented. High ACEs scores (a large number of traumatic childhood events) contribute to adverse health problems; conversely, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Safe, Stable and Nurturing Relationships (SSNRs) have positive effects upon children including:
- Reducing the occurrence of child abuse and ACEs
- Reducing the negative effects of child abuse and ACEs
- Influencing many positive physical, cognitive and emotional outcomes throughout a child's life
- Reducing the negative impacts of trauma on short-and long-term health in children
- Contributing to a positive cumulative impact on health
One of the best ways to build SSNRs with your children is to spend time with them where you are focused on them. Studies show that positive outcomes are linked to the quality of time spent with children rather than the quantity of time. It's important to be in an atmosphere free of stress and anxiety, and to actively engage and interact with your children versus just "being there."
Miley's Law
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Miley was shaken by her biological father on October 16, 2013 when she was just seven (7) months old. The abuse left Miley with severe injuries including bleeding on her brain, bleeding in her eyes, bruising on her body and a fracture in her leg. Miley was given a twenty percent (20%) chance of survival.
Miley survived the abuse but faced a host of challenges during recovery. She wore braces on her legs to help straighten out her feet. She wore an eye patch on her right eye, because the abuse caused her to be cross-eyed. She worked with a speech therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, vision therapist and a play therapist. Miley's doctors advised against her playing any contact sports to protect her from further brain injuries. Miley's life is forever changed.
Miley's biological father was sentenced to one (1) to fifteen (15) years for felony child abuse. He will be up for parole after serving ten (10) years in prison. This didn't sit well with Miley's grandmother, JoAnn Otten, and she became an advocate for child abuse prevention. In a story on Love What Matters, Otten wrote, "After much soul searching I felt that Utah needed a Child Abuse Registry just like the sex offender’s registry. I contacted my state representative and asked him if he would help me to sponsor this type of bill."
Representative Derrin Owens worked with Otten and introduced Miley's Bill to the Utah Legislature, and on March 9, 2017, Miley's Bill became Miley's Law.
On February 7, 2019, Utah's Child Abuse Registry became operational. Here is the LINK TO UTAH'S CHILD ABUSE REGISTRY. Otten encourages fellow Utahns to use the registry to help protect our children. Said Otten in a KSL News story announcing the registry going live, "If your babysitter is on there or your neighbor or a coach that your children play sports with, it is a guide for you to look at, to make sure your children going with people who are safe."
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