Child Abuse Prevention Month in October is a time to recognize the role everyone can all play in preventing child abuse.
Observed annually, Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the prevalence of child abuse in the community and empower individuals to become advocates for children in need.
The Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, along with its program the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, are active partners with the community in this effort.
Chinook Sexual Assault Centre chief executive officer Kristine Cassie said Friday the centre is actively working on bringing awareness to the importance of the issue and what role community members play.
“We want to ensure that our community members are provided with the knowledge to recognize signs of child abuse before it happens, and the resources for what to do next,” Cassie said.
“Everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe, and our centre wants individuals to know they all contribute to creating a safe environment for the children around us.”
In Alberta, one in three individuals will experience sexual violence or abuse before they turn 18.
The Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, serving 33 communities in southwestern Alberta, offers support to people of all ages affected by sexual violence, including those under 18, through system navigation, specialized police and court support and therapeutic services.
Two out of three Albertans have reported they experienced some type of abuse before the age of 15.
The Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre supports children and youth, along with their non-offending care-givers, through the investigative, judicial and healing processes.
Services provided include on-site forensic interviews, system navigation and access to specialized therapeutic resources.
The Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of experts, including mental health professionals, law enforcement, child protection agencies and crown prosecutors.
Locally, there are several events being held during Child Abuse Prevention Month to raise awareness and generate support for the work being done by the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.
Thursday, Oct. 24 is #GoBlue Day, where everyone is encouraged to wear blue to show their support for ending child abuse.
The #GoBlue campaign originated from a movement in Virginia, where a grandmother tied a blue ribbon around her car antenna as a tribute to her grandson, who died from child abuse, and to raise awareness in her community.
In Lethbridge, the lights at City Hall will turn blue on Oct. 24 in recognition of this important effort.
In addition, a bowling fund-raiser at Galaxy Bowling and Pizza is being held on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 2-6 p.m.
The event will feature free pop and snacks, cosmic backlight bowling and a silent auction.
All proceeds go to support the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. Tickets are available at Galaxy Bowl, at the Scotiabank locations on Mayor Magrath and University Drive or at EventBright.
Scotiabank will match all ticket sales sold at their locations up to $3,000.
Also, through until Thursday, Oct. 31, people have a chance to win up to $10,000 while supporting the essential services provided by the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre by participating in a 50/50 draw.
“Our centre does crucial work within the community to ensure that individuals who have experienced sexual violence and related trauma are able to access the supports they need,” said Samantha Scott, centre external communications and fund development officer. “By supporting these initiatives, community members have the opportunity have some fun and ensure these services are available for those most vulnerable.”
Signs of child abuse may include:
- Sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour, including aggression, avoidance or withdrawal,
- Changes in school or extracurricular performance including sudden grade improvement or disengagement.
- Unexplained injuries that don’t match the child’s explanation, sexual knowledge beyond the child’s age and developmental stage.
- Fearing a specific person or place, or even a certain gender.
- Children always sick, hungry, or not dressed suitably for the weather.
- While these signs alone do not confirm abuse, they warrant concern and should lead to a check-in by a trusted, caring adult.
Recognizing child abuse is crucial. All adults in Alberta have a legal obligation to report suspected or known child abuse.
Reports can be made to local law enforcement, the child abuse hotline at 1-800-387-5437, Cybertip.ca, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
