Activities raise awareness about child abuse

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on October 23, 2024.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Cheryl Patterson, manager of the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre speaks to reporters about activities planned to raise awareness about child abuse during a recent media availability at Galaxy Bowling and Pizza.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

October is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre along with the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre are raising awareness through a variety of activities.

Activities include #GoBlue on Oct. 24, where everyone is encouraged to wear blue to show their support for ending child abuse. The lights at City Hall will be turn blue as well. In addition, a bowling fundraising event will take place Saturday Oct. 26 at Galaxy Bowling from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cheryl Patterson, manager of the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, spoke to media Friday about the centre and the services they provide.

“Child abuse prevention month in October provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness about the prevalence of child abuse in our communities, but also to empower people to become advocates for children in need,” said Patterson.

 She said in Alberta, one in three individuals will experience sexual violence or abuse before the age of 18 and everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe.

 “Our centre wants individuals to know that they can contribute to creating safe communities for the children around us. We want to ensure that our community members have the knowledge to be able to recognize signs of child abuse, but also the resources to know what to do next,” said Patterson.

 She said they are hoping that during Child Abuse Prevention Month, members of the community will support them in their efforts to support children and youth who have experienced abuse in southwestern Alberta.

“Our Child and Youth Advocacy Centre supports children and youth and their non-offending caregivers through the investigative, judicial and therapeutic process after reports of child abuse have been received,” said Patterson.

 She explained their services include on-site forensic interviews, support and navigation of systems as well as access to specialized therapeutic interventions.

 “We also work collaboratively with a team of multi-disciplinary members and professionals within our community that include experts in law enforcement, children’s services, mental health services and Crown Prosecution services,” said Patterson.

When talking about how to recognize signs of child abuse and how people within the community can report concerns of child abuse, Patterson said the key is to pay attention to multiple signs together, as on their own they might not be the result of child abuse.

“That usually includes extreme changes of behaviour, extreme changes of appearance, large absence with school or child expressing discomfort or not wanting to spend time with a certain adult individual or expressing a need to spend too much time with an adult or individual,” said Patterson.

 Other signs include extreme emotional reactions to situations, sexual knowledge beyond the child’s age or developmental stage and physical indicators, like unexplained injuries that do not match the child’s explanation, children always sick, hungry, or not dressed suitable for the weather.

 “Keep your eyes open for patterns of bruising or a child coming in and just disclosing that they were hit that morning,” said Patterson.

Samantha Scott, external communications and fund development officer at CSAC, talked about the events taking place to raise awareness about child abuse prevention.

“There are three main initiatives that we have prepared this month to raise money and to really spread that awareness. The first is #GoBlue Day, this is an initiative that happens all over Alberta, but it’s actually expanding all over Canada,” said Scott.

She added that they have a 50/50 going on all month and this is an opportunity for people to support the crucial work that the Chinook sexual assault centre and the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre does and also win up to $10,000.

 “And our biggest fundraiser is going to be the galactic giving event that is happening here at Galaxy Bowling and Pizza on Oct. 26. Tickets are $25 and it happens from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.,” said Scott.

 She said Scotia Bank is helping them raise money by matching ticket sales up to $3,000 of those made at their locations on Mayor Magrath Drive South and University Drive West.

 “There will be free snacks and beverages and we will have a silent auction as well,” said Scott.