Did you know 1-in-3 Canadians experience some form of abuse before the age of 18?

October is National Child Abuse Prevention Month in Canada and the nine Child and Youth Advocacy Centres (CYACs) across Alberta are coming together to raise awareness of child abuse and the important role communities play in keeping children and youth safe. CYACs are safe places dedicated to providing children, youth and their families with the necessary support and resources they need throughout the disclosure, investigation and judicial process, and along their healing journeys.

Year after year, Alberta CYACs see an increase in the number of child abuse cases we support. Last year alone, Luna supported 2,732 children and youth and has served over 13,000 young people and their families since first opening our doors in 2013.

But we cannot do this alone.

You can help us, too!⁠

💙 ENGAGE with our content by liking, commenting and sharing our posts on social media to continue the conversation and reach more people.⁠ Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

💙 DONATE to our organization so we can continue to support children, youth and their families who have experienced abuse.⁠ Change a life today.

💙 WEAR BLUE on October 24th with your family, friends, class, colleagues and teammates and use the hashtag #GoBlueAB to show your support for CYACs across the province (and the children and youth we all serve).⁠

💙 LEARN how to recognize signs of child abuse and how to report it so you can be the light for a child in need.⁠

💙 FOLLOW the other Alberta CYACs on social media to show your support (Caribou Child & Youth Centre, Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, Little Bear Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, Sanare Centre, Waypoints, and Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre).

Stay tuned next week to learn about more ways you can participate this month!