CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION

It was in 1991 that Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and it was in 1999, that Alberta finally signed on.  The theme of the Convention is “the best interest of the child”.  Child abuse, including the witnessing of family violence, is an assault on the development of a child’s self esteem that leaves inner scars that take a long time to heal.  Children that have been abused develop an inability to trust, and an inability to make choices, leaving them with few life skills and ill prepared for the adult world. 

The purpose of Child Abuse Prevention for adults is to alert adults to the intricacies of abuse.  This workshop describes in detail what the laws are, and what the indications of abuse are in specific child behavior.  It also provides information about how to handle knowledge of abuse that has occurred or is occurring.  For those adults that work with children, a knowledge of abuse, harassment and boundaries is important to protect children, and to help adults understand where the boundaries are.  Child Abuse Prevention provides tools for creating workplace safety for youth and for the professionals who work with youth.  It also teaches how it takes only one safe adult to pay attention to a child to help that child develop a resilience that will assist them throughout life.

The purpose of Child Abuse Prevention for youth is to describe to youth what the laws are, and what the dynamics of abuse are.  It is amazing to see the difference in young people when they realize “it’s not your fault”.  When they learn how the abuser broke the law, and what the penalties are, they are able to bring their pain out of the shadows and get help.  It is only at that point that an abused person can begin to regain self esteem and move out of the past. Child Abuse Prevention helps children who have been abused, and those who may have friends who have been abused, to understand what happened.  It also helps those future parents understand where the boundaries are, in order to break the cycle of abuse.

“THE MAN WHO VIOLATES A CHILD VIOLATES HIMSELF, HIS HOME, HIS WORLD.”  Bass & Thornton, 1983

"Every child is the light of the world"

SENIOR ABUSE PREVENTION

Senior abuse constitutes an abuse of power and a violation of trust.  This workshop describes the types of abuse, including emotional, physial, sexual, medical and financial, as well as neglect.  We also look at the indicators of abuse, how to prevent it and how to get help if it has occurred.  We discuss the law and the Protection of Persons in Care Act of Alberta.  No one deserves to be abused.  This workshop will help you to learn more about it.