October is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Alberta Child Advocacy Centres’ speak up for our children

Red Deer, Alberta – October is Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM) and Child Advocacy Centres (CACs) across Alberta are raising awareness of child abuse and the important role communities play in keeping children and youth safe. Alberta is proud to have eight of the over 30 Child Advocacy Centres in Canada that are working to prevent child abuse and help children and youth begin healing.

CACs are safe places dedicated to providing children, youth and their families with the necessary support and resources they need throughout the entire disclosure, investigation, and judicial process, as well as into their healing journey. Every day, we are inspired by the immense courage displayed by the children and youth we support.

Throughout Child Abuse Prevention Month, our goal is to spark conversation and provide important education about child abuse to our communities, as well as celebrate the resiliency of those who have experienced abuse.

Since opening doors in late 2017, the CACAC has supported over 1,700 children and youth from the Central Alberta area, servicing 87 communities and counting.

“Child Abuse Prevention Month is about creating awareness in our community. It is about having the courage to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves – talking about an issue that has been silenced for far too long. I have seen firsthand the power of the #GoBlueAB initiative provincially and I am so grateful to our community for having the courage to stand up, speak out, and to #GoBlueAB for our kids.” Mark Jones, CEO

We urge all Albertans to join us for Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is critical that we understand the essential role we all play in advocating for children and youth who are in need of support. As a collective, we can keep the most vulnerable members of our communities safe.

This is the third year the CACAC has ran the #GoBlueAB initiative and they are looking to make a blue wave across the city once again!

Starting today, October 1^st, you can purchase a blue heart online in recognition of children across our province and country impacted by abuse. These hearts will be available online for $5 – and supporters can send along a message of courage they wish to share with out kiddos. These hearts will be displayed across the CACAC wall for children, youth, and their families to see as they walk into the Centre.

On October 24th, CACs invite you to #GoBlueAB in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. 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. Want to get your school or workplace involved? Wear your blue during the week of the 18^th – 22^nd and tag the CACAC on social media @CentralABCAC and use the hashtag #GoBlueAB!

Community #GoBlueAB Initiatives:

Red Deer Rebels: Join us at the games on October 22nd & 23rd and see the Peavy Mart Centrium #GoBlueAB. Heart decals will be placed on every third seat in the lower bowl to represent the 1 in 3 Canadians who experience some form of child abuse.

Tiffany’s Steakhouse & Lounge: Enjoy the “Braven Blue” Epitaph Gin (Troubled Monk) Cocktail at Tiffany’s!

Edible Arrangements: Gift a Loved One (or yourself!) with a Blue Edible Arrangement!
Head to Edible Arrangements for some specialty Blue treats! Including Braven Blue dipped strawberries, blue swirl brownies and swizzle blue stripped fruit baskets!

See the Lights! On October 24th, City Hall light and the Capstone District lights will be turn blue in honor of CAPM! Take an evening stroll to see them and let is spark conversation. Take a picture and tag #GoBlueAB @CentralABCAC @liveincapstone and @cityofreddeer

See all the ways you can #GoBlueAB here!

We would like to extend a special thank you to the Phone Experts for sponsoring our CACAC #GoBlueAB initiative once again this year!

To learn more about how to recognize child abuse and how you can help those in your community visit www.centralalbertacac.ca or www.albertacacs.ca to find your local Child Advocacy Centre.

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