Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre

It’s National Child Day! November 20th has been annually recognized as a day in which we honour the rights of children and youth, and the important role they play in our communities and in their own lives. Children deserve every opportunity for a bright future- basic needs, protection from harm and to have their voices heard. While today is celebratory of those rights, it is also important to bring attention to those who are not receiving the respect and treatment they are... entitled to. Child Advocacy Centres across Alberta invite you to celebrate National Child Day with us not just today, but year round.

Quinn has his purple Made To RESPECT Central Alberta Sexaul Assault Support Centre casasc shirt on this morning in support of #GoPurpleAB for Family Violence Prevention Month. Here are a few words from our friends at Waypoints on #FVPM: Family violence does not just impact those who are experiencing or using abuse in relationships. It has economic impacts on our social, health and justice system along with human costs and impacts. It is a pervasive issue that can affect ...anyone, regardless of gender, age, race or religion. Preventing family violence from beginning and transmitting between generations means we all have to work together to create healthy and safe relationships and communities. Family violence prevention also involves supporting those who may be experiencing or using violence, including knowing #WhereToTurn for supports. Please wear your purple today to show support for the survivors of family violence *Thanks to our doggo friends Triggs and Captain from Zebra Child Protection Centre for the shirt idea!

Increased awareness of sextortion can reduce the risk of a child or youth interacting online with a potentially dangerous person. According to Cybertip.ca, a few warning signs to look out for are: 1. Everything happens quickly: Offender begins immediately requesting personal information, photos or to live chat. 2. Provides inconsistent information: Details the offender shares while chatting do not match up with what they are posting.... 3. Chatting becomes sexual: Conversation topics turn sexual or an offender begins expressing intense or intimate feelings to the child or youth. 4. Using threats: Offender uses threats that will shame or scare the child or youth to persuade them into sharing more content and information. 5. Attention bombing: The child or youth is manipulated into believing that the offender cares about them through constant communication and attention. Reports of child abuse must be made to the following reporting sources: RCMP Complaint Line: 403-343-5575 Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-387-5437 (KIDS) Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868 Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477 Online Exploitation: cybertip.ca #ChildAdvocacy #OnlineSafety #AlbertaCACs #KeepKidsSafe

The Inside Story Pop-Up got a little more festive over the weekend! We would like to give a huge thank you to Bower Place for putting on Girls Night In: A Virtual Charity Event! We are happy to announce that we SOLD OUT of both boxes! Thank you to all of the vendors and those who purchased a box! This week, we are excited to announce 3 new boxes in store!... Amped2Play ISOLOVEPLAY box! Boxes are $40, with $10 going directly to our Centre. Check them out for more info! The Braven Box: includes a Braven stuffy, a what bee will you bee book from The B Nest Studios and a cozy CAC blanket! $50/box CACAC Box: Custom Golf Divot Tool, 2 Sleeves of custom golf balls, CAC blanket, CAC Thermal hot/cold mug & Braven Blend coffee from @cityroastcoffee $100/box *The Amped2Play + Braven boxes can also be purchased and donated back to the Centre in support the Holiday Healing Toy Drive AND we also have the #BowerElf in store! Bring #BowerElf home to your family all by donation! More to come on all of these items - stay tuned!

November is Family Violence Prevention Month #DidYouKnow Witness to Domestic Violence is considered a form of Child Abuse. The devastating effects of domestic violence on women [and men] are well documented. Far less is known about the impact on children who witness a parent or caregiver being subjected to violence. The findings show that children who are exposed to violence in the home may suffer a range of severe and lasting effects.... One study in North America found that children who were exposed to violence in the home were 15 times more likely to be physically and/or sexually assaulted than the national average There is a strong likelihood that this will become a continuing cycle of violence for the next generation, [however], not all children fall into the trap of becoming victims or abusers. Many adults who grew up with violence in the home are actively opposed to violence of all kinds. Violence has no place in a child’s life. With a clear vision and concrete action, we can and must give children a brighter and more peaceful future. @unicef If you are someone you know needs help, please reach out. We all play a role in keeping our community, our children, safe. Help break the cycle. Be Brave. Learn more Information sourced from: @unicef BehindClosedDoors Family violence is a crime Call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger. Call the Family Violence Info Line at 310-1818 to get help anonymously in more

Forensic Nurses Week We are so grateful for our CASART team: Central Alberta Sexual Assault Response Team This dedicated group of nurses provide specialized and compassionate care to patients/survivors of assault.... We are proud to call them a partner and have them sit at our table. They do incredible work for our community. Please show your appreciation for this committed crew by leaving a in the comments! Learn about the Third Option that was introduced last winter: https://rdnewsnow.com//expanded-ahs-rcmp-program-gives-se/

Remembering and Honouring all those who sacrificed for Our Country. #LestWeForget #remembranceday #CanadaRemembers

Have you registered for GNI yet!? Adwoa from Bower Place tells us all about the incredible fundraiser what’s in the two kits, the amazing giveaways during the live events (you’ll have to watch to find out!), and the partnership between Bower Place and CACAC! There is still time to pick up your own kit of choice!... Crafty Kit + Selfie Kit $50/each with 100% of the proceeds going to our Centre! These kits make great gifts! Or you can treat yourself to one! Make sure to register for the free virtual event on Sunday, Nov 15! Tune in for the whole thing, or jump on during a particular segment! AND the Bower Elf will be available in stores soon! We will let you know once it arrives! Stop by the Inside Story POP-UP to get your kit and say hi to one of our CAC volunteers! Open Monday - Saturday, 2-7PM Sunday’s 11-5PM Big thanks to Bower Place for putting this on and to all of the incredible vendors!