Giving abused children a place of their own - credit CSCA graphics

By Dori Modney

Capital campaign initiated for critically needed Child and Youth Advocacy Centre

Jan 9, 2022 | 10:37 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — As the country and the province continue to deal with unemployment, weather disasters and the pandemic, the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre has seen the direct impact on homes and families, where violence has already existed and continues. Demand for the Centre’s services continues to grow and includes an ever-increasing number of younger victims.

With that in mind, in August of 2021, the Centre opened the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.

The centre already has a leased space on the main floor of the professional building at 740 4 Avenue south. However, the space needs a $642,000 renovation to accommodate the forensic interview rooms, the remote testimony room and rooms needed for elements such as play therapy and care for children that have experienced sexual abuse, severe physical abuse or severe neglect.

Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO, Kristine Cassie, explains the child and youth centre is modelled after child advocacy centres throughout North America.

“A feasibility study was done about three years ago now, that looked at what the needs are for our region and if we could respond to having a child advocacy centre here in Lethbridge, to actually service the south-west corner of the province.”

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“We’re at the position now where we are fund raising for the renovation to be done. We are actively taking cases that are referred by policing agencies or Children’s Services, so there is the need to have a spot ready, as the need is pretty great.”

As to how great the need is, Cassie notes that they have already begun taking cases.

“Just to give you an indication, we started triaging cases the second week of November (2021), and since that point, we’ve seen 37-children – and this is us taking it slow, to see how our protocols are working and to get all of the processes in place. Literally within just six to eight weeks, it’s already at 37 cases, so we see the need is quite great and we anticipate there will be 250 or more children a year and we expect that number will grow.”

The number of cases being dealt with, encompasses not only Lethbridge but, also the southwest section of the province, or specifically, from Lethbridge to Taber, to the US border and west to the BC border and up towards the Nanton area.

Child and Youth Advocacy Centre coverage – CSAC graphics

Cassie says this centre is seen as a real investment for the future of our community and the south-west Alberta area.

“We know that when trauma isn’t dealt with early, for children who have had these types of experiences in their life, they are 26 times more likely to experience some form of homelessness in their life, they have the potential to be early school leavers, or drop-outs, and four times more likely to be arrested as a juvenile.

Consequences of Child abuse – CSAC graphics

“So, we look at our economic recovery for this area, when we look at dealing with housing and homelessness, we look at dealing with addictions and mental health issues, we can actually have a much more positive impact, if we do early intervention with children who have experienced this type of abuse, than if we leave it. Which is for the most part, what we (society) are doing right now.

Cassie says they are trying to give these children a chance, so they can have the most productive life, where they can contribute to society, and this is one of the ways that we can do it.

Cassie noted that we also have to think of the non-offending family members.

“When you know your child has been abused, how do you navigate these systems, when you’re dealing with your own issues? We all know what it’s like when our child gets injured or when they get sick, and the worry that causes. When your child has been abused, there is a far greater amount of emotion that goes into that, with your own shame or guilt in how you’re dealing with it. You think about them being left to try and manoeuvre a system, to try and help your child or your family at that time can be quite daunting.”

“So, this also gives these families that opportunity to actually have someone with them, to help them navigate the system – it helps children to be prepared for court for when that day comes, as it’s heart-wrenching to see what they (the victim) have to go through but, they could be well prepared for that. We can lessen the fear that they will experience in going through that court process.”

“At the end of the day, the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre really helps to get not only the trauma-informed care for the children and the knowledge for families so that they know what they can do for their kids, it also helps with the prosecution of offenders, so that you can actually have people held to account for their abuse of children.”

Giving will make a difference – CSAC graphics

In terms of the financial help they are seeking, Kristine says they won’t turn away any donation, no matter how small, and corporate donations would be specifically generous.

There is a variety of ways you can help. There are nine child-friendly spaces that have to be developed, with everything from construction, furniture, toys and décor. A business or group of people could get together and adopt-a-room to finance its creation. The Centre will also accept materials needed for renovation and soundproofing, as well as technology and the skills of various trades.

The Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre is our community’s response to child abuse and welcomes contact from those who are able to help make a difference.

You can call the centre at 403-694-1094 or Toll Free: 1-844-576-2512. You can visit their website to view the centre’s annual report at www.csacleth.ca