Child Abuse Prevention Month
October is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Child Advocacy Centres across Alberta are once 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. Alberta is home to nine of the 27 Child Advocacy Centres in Canada, and we are incredibly proud to stand beside every child and youth who visits our Centres and provide them with customized supports that best suit their needs along their healing journey.
One of our goals as a collective is to increase awareness in our communities about child abuse prevention and intervention. Child abuse is not limited to any particular community or demographic; it can happen anywhere, and we all have a role to play in keeping children and youth safe. It is important that 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 October 24th, 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.
Together, We Can Keep Our Communities Safe
Reports of child abuse must be made to the following reporting sources:
Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-387-5437 (KIDS)
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868
Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477
Online Exploitation: cybertip.ca
Or your local police/RCMP detachment