The Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence on the Red Deer Polytechnic campus. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

#GOBLUEAB ON OCT. 24

Data shows concerning rise in child abuse cases coming to Red Deer centre of excellence

Oct 3, 2024 | 4:32 PM

New data shows the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) just had its busiest year to-date.

Between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024, more than 460 child forensic Interviews took place, with almost 500 case files being brought to the CACAC multidisciplinary team.

That represents an increase of more than 50 per cent in child forensic interviews alone.

“Our community has done a tremendous job of making people aware of our services and our partnerships within Red Deer and the surrounding area. But this has never been just a city problem,” says CEO Mark Jones.

“Alix, Hinton, Barrhead, Coronation, Rimbey…133 communities in Alberta have come to us saying, ‘Something has happened.’ This month is about spreading awareness, and finding the courage to say enough is enough, and that we need to make this a priority everywhere. We continue to see a greater number of clients every year, and by all estimates we will not be seeing a reduction in the year ahead.”

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The numbers released today build on the State of Child Wellbeing in Central Alberta report, released in April 2024.

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READ MORE

• Child Advocacy Centre releases first ‘State of Child Wellbeing in Central Alberta’ community report

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That report found that between 2020 and 2023, there were 3,098 cases of abuse against children and youths reported to the CACAC. That includes 2,511 accused perpetrators.

In response to the growing numbers, the CACAC is encouraging citizens to #GoBlueAB and wear blue this Oct. 24 for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Look for blue lights that day at the community of Capstone in Red Deer, the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre at Red Deer Polytechnic, and at the newly built Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence.

The Red Deer Rebels have placed “1-in-3” blue heart decals on every third seat throughout the Peavey Mart Centrium, symbolizing the one-in-three Canadians who have experienced some form of child abuse. The decals will remain there for the entire month of October, and have been sponsored this year by the Red Deer Regional Airport.

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