October is Child Abuse Prevention Month

By Lethbridge Herald on October 3, 2020.

LETHBRIDGE HERALD

October is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Child Advocacy Centres across Alberta, including the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre in Lethbridge, are again coming together to raise awareness about child abuse and the important role communities can play in helping to keep children and youth safe.

Child Advocacy Centres are devoted to giving children and youth who have experienced abuse a safe space to share their story and receive the support and resources they need throughout the entire disclosure, investigation and judicial process, the CSAC said in a release. Alberta is home to eight of the 27 Child Advocacy Centres in Canada, and CSAC is proud to stand beside every child and youth who visits the centres and provide them with customized supports that best suit their needs along their healing journey.

One of the goals by CACs as a collective is to increase awareness in communities about child abuse prevention and intervention. Child abuse is not limited to any particular community or demographic; it can happen anywhere, and everyone has a role to play in keeping children and youth safe. It is important everyone is informed on what they can do to help create safer communities by recognizing the signs of abuse and understanding their responsibility to speak up. It is, in fact, everyone’s legal duty to report suspected child abuse.

 In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, on Oct. 24 CACs are encouraging Albertans to #GoBlueAB by wearing blue in solidarity with all those who have been impacted by child abuse, and to spark more conversation and awareness.

The Chinook Sexual Assault Centre provides specialized supports for individuals and families who have been impacted by sexual violence within southwestern Alberta by offering inclusive services that are client centred and trauma informed. Whether it be through crisis support, peer support, system navigation or court support, it is there to hear and respond to clients’ most urgent needs.

To donate or for more information, visit http://www.csacleth.ca.

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