CALGARY, Alberta, Canada – Both local and national experts are attending a forum in Calgary on Thursday hoping to find solutions to end the sexual abuse of children.
The forum at the University of Calgary will help shape Alberta’s first sexual violence prevention framework.
I greatly applaud the Alberta Government's commitment to address child sex abuse. Unfortunately, I'm hard pressed to see how anything will come out of these meetings that will reduce the number of child victims of sexual abuse. There should certainly be some improvements in handling those victims, but I see nothing here to address the "end of sexual abuse of children".
Alberta Human Services Minister Manmeet Bhullar and Justice Minister Jonathan Denis will be in attendance, as well as Sheldon Kennedy and other representatives from Alberta’s child advocacy centres.
“Child victims need the best care that we as a society can give them,” explains Kennedy. “All sectors, from child and family services, to justice and health care – all need to be involved and coordinated.”
Officials say the conference will focus on issues related to the rural response, the justice system response and child sexual abuse in ethno-cultural communities.
“Child sexual abuse continues to be a difficult topic to talk about and often goes underreported,” explains Bhullar. “It’s imperative we start creating a dialogue and change the culture of fear and shame that can prevent victims from seeking help.
“As a society, we must all work together and strive to end the exploitation of vulnerable children,” says Bhullar.
The Alberta government has announced a new grant that will help child advocacy centres throughout the province improve counselling provided for victims of sexual abuse.
Recipients of the new Counselling for Children pilot grant will be eligible for up to to $150,000 per year, per child advocacy centre.
Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Minister Jonathan Denis announced the new funding at the Child Sexual Abuse Forum in Calgary on Thursday.
“Although no child should be a victim of crime, the reality is they are and we need to be ready to support them first,” says Jonathan Denis, Minister of Alberta Justice and Solicitor General. “The Counselling for Children grant will help give a voice to children who need it the most.”
Officials say the grant available to child advocacy centres that offer a seamless, coordinated and collaborative approach to addressing the needs of children and youth victims of crime.
Alberta Justice and Solicitor General’s Victims Services will be contacting the centres who are eligible for the funding this spring.
Child advocacy centres interested in more information can contact Victims Programs at 780-427-3460.
The forum at the University of Calgary will help shape Alberta’s first sexual violence prevention framework.
I greatly applaud the Alberta Government's commitment to address child sex abuse. Unfortunately, I'm hard pressed to see how anything will come out of these meetings that will reduce the number of child victims of sexual abuse. There should certainly be some improvements in handling those victims, but I see nothing here to address the "end of sexual abuse of children".
Alberta Human Services Minister Manmeet Bhullar and Justice Minister Jonathan Denis will be in attendance, as well as Sheldon Kennedy and other representatives from Alberta’s child advocacy centres.
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| Sheldon Kennedy, retired NHL player who was sexually abused by his coach in junior hockey, runs a Child advocacy centre in Calgary |
Officials say the conference will focus on issues related to the rural response, the justice system response and child sexual abuse in ethno-cultural communities.
“Child sexual abuse continues to be a difficult topic to talk about and often goes underreported,” explains Bhullar. “It’s imperative we start creating a dialogue and change the culture of fear and shame that can prevent victims from seeking help.
“As a society, we must all work together and strive to end the exploitation of vulnerable children,” says Bhullar.
The Alberta government has announced a new grant that will help child advocacy centres throughout the province improve counselling provided for victims of sexual abuse.
 |
| Kennedy's child advocacy centre |
Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Minister Jonathan Denis announced the new funding at the Child Sexual Abuse Forum in Calgary on Thursday.
“Although no child should be a victim of crime, the reality is they are and we need to be ready to support them first,” says Jonathan Denis, Minister of Alberta Justice and Solicitor General. “The Counselling for Children grant will help give a voice to children who need it the most.”
Officials say the grant available to child advocacy centres that offer a seamless, coordinated and collaborative approach to addressing the needs of children and youth victims of crime.
Alberta Justice and Solicitor General’s Victims Services will be contacting the centres who are eligible for the funding this spring.
Child advocacy centres interested in more information can contact Victims Programs at 780-427-3460.
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