Child advocacy centre celebrates fifth year
The Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre says it’s seen an explosive growth in clients since first opening its doors five years ago, with at least 130 new children being referred there each month.
According to CEO Sara Austin, this increased use of the centre is bittersweet.
“We want to see these numbers going down because we want to see children being protected and know the abuse is ending,” she said. “But for us, we’re happy to know that more children are disclosing the abuse and more people who suspect abuse are reporting it.”
Austin attributes increased reporting to some of the work being done by the centre, which includes a tool kit that was launched across school boards last year informing educators how to recognize the signs of abuse and how to intervene.
“It’s really important for people who know and care for children — whether it’s a family member or teachers or coaches — to be familiar with the signs of abuse,” she said.
Austin said a child who is being abused often shows drastic changes in behaviour, such as becoming anxious or withdrawn, experiencing difficulties with sleeping, or displaying sexualized behaviours.
“Basically, any sudden and significant change in the child’s behaviour is a signal that something is wrong and that you should be reaching out,” she said.
And while many people are hesitant to report suspected abuse out of fear the allegation isn’t true, Austin said it’s always best to report.
“It’s important that Albertans understand that it’s not your job to solve the problem,” she said. “We have trained professionals that have the skills to investigate and confirm whether or not the abuse is happening and to ensure that if the child has experienced abuse, that they receive the time
and access to the support that they so rightly deserve.”
The Sheldon Kennedy centre alone has served about 7,500 children and youth in the past five years.
But Austin said they ’re likely just scratching the surface, because Canadian statistics say one in three children experience sexual abuse.
The centre was formed in 2013 by former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy, who was sexually abused by his coach Graham James when he played for the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League. James was later convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to prison.
On Monday, the centre celebrated its fifth anniversary by officially declaring October child abuse prevention month in Alberta.