(ID 363937513 © Maria Garcia | Dreamstime.com)

By rdnewsNOW staff

2017 to 2024

RDP and CACAC release report on child abuse trends in Alberta

May 7, 2025 | 3:49 PM

Red Deer Polytechnic and the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre have unveiled a new report that highlights child abuse trends in the province.

The report, titled 2025 Silent Cries: Child Abuse Trends in Alberta, provides analysis on child abuse data from 2017 to 2024.

It also provides recommendations to improve the province’s child protection system.

“At RDP, we are dedicated to growing our applied research capacity in child advocacy by leveraging data and industry partnerships to advance the social priorities of communities across Alberta,” says Emile Johnson, Director, Resiliency & Child Advocacy Research, Red Deer Polytechnic, in a media release.

“The 2025 Silent Cries: Child Abuse Trends in Alberta report can serve as a blueprint for child advocacy organizations to help address a crucial need in the province to help children, youth and families.”

Last seen Nov. 28

Missing: Jimmy Eagle, 27, of Maskwacis

4h ago

the situation is dire

Two deaths, possibly from cold exposure, raise alarm amid Red Deer shelter situation and plight of homeless community

Dec 12, 2025

Lace-'Em Up!

Red Deer's outdoor rinks returning for another season

Dec 12, 2025

In the report, it’s stated Alberta sees higher reported rates of child abuse compared to the national average. These were among specific demographics including those with disabilities, Indigenous youth and sexual minorities.

“The CACAC works collectively with RDP and other community partners to ensure the needs of children and families are met through an integrated network of professionals and organizations,” said Cassandra Galenzoski, Director of Operations, Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre.

“The 2025 Silent Cries report provides tangible recommendations to more efficiently address the abuse of children and help support them in safe and welcoming environments.”

The 2025 Silent Cries: Child Abuse Trends in Alberta report explains the benefits of a centralized data repository to enable immediate insights into cases of child abuse, which would help facilitate more effective and data-driven decisions to where resources and funds will go.

Findings from the report will be presented at the upcoming Transforming Practices Conference being held on May 29 and 30 at Red Deer Polytechnic.

To read the full report online, click here.