Alberta’s Child Advocacy Centres speak up for children and youth

October is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Child Advocacy Centres (CACs) across Alberta are coming together to raise awareness of child abuse and the important role communities play in keeping children and youth safe.

Alberta is home to eight of the over 30 Child Advocacy Centres in Canada working to prevent child abuse and support children and youth on their path to healing. CACs 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.

“Child Advocacy Centres are deeply committed to the prevention of child abuse by building awareness and knowledge, engaging the community, creating networks and alliances, enhancing the capacity of caregivers, and empowering children, youth and families, said Karen Orser, CEO of the Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. “Our collective goal for Child Abuse Prevention Month is to share our knowledge and expertise so that we can build informed, engaged communities where all children are safe.”

Year over year, CACs across Alberta continue to see an increase in the number of child abuse cases they support. Last year alone, Luna supported almost 2,000 children and youth and has served over 10,000 young people and their families since it first opened in 2013.

All Albertans are encouraged to join in recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is critical that everyone understands the essential role we all play in keeping children and youth safe and advocating for those who need support.

CACs are also inviting Albertans to #GoBlueAB on October 24th. By wearing blue, we can raise more awareness about the prevalence of child abuse in our communities and how we can take action to prevent it. It will also serve as a symbol of solidarity with the thousands of children, youth, and families in Alberta who have been impacted by abuse.

To learn more about how to recognize, report, and respond to child abuse, visit lunacentre.ca/resources.