Child Abuse Prevention Month
October is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Child Advocacy Centres in Alberta are continuing to raise awareness about child abuse intervention and prevention.
Child Advocacy Centres are devoted to giving children and youth who have experienced abuse a safe space to tell their story and receive the support and resources they need throughout the entire disclosure, investigation and judicial process, and their healing journey.
This month, our goal is to create discussion about child abuse and share ways in which we can work together to keep children and youth safe. We all play an essential role in creating a safer community.
It is important that everyone be informed on what they can do to help create safer communities by recognizing the signs of abuse. Child abuse is not limited to any particular community or demographic; it exists everywhere. It is everyone’s legal and ethical duty to report child abuse and it is necessary that we understand our responsibility to speak up for children and youth who need it most.
In 2019, the Zebra Child Protection Centre supported 2,362 children in the Edmonton area. Our Centre, along with the Child Advocacy Centres across Alberta, see the courage it takes for children to tell their story, and we are incredibly proud to stand beside every child and youth who visits our Centres.
On October 24th, we encourage you to join us by wearing blue for #GoBlueAB- a movement created to help raise awareness and spark more conversation about child abuse. Together, we can keep children and youth safe.
Stay tuned throughout October to learn more about child abuse and how you can make a difference.
Resources to Report Child Abuse:
Edmonton Police Service: 780-423-4567
RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police): Your local detachment
Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-387-5437
Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477
Online exploitation tip line: cybertip.ca