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Publisher’s Note
HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY THREE KINGS! As we are now in 2019, new year, new beginnings, new challenges and new opportunities. Everyone is entitled to make their new year’s resolution for as long as they keep it in mind and make sure that they do it to the best of their ability. When I was young [...]
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New Calgary centre will improve support for children and families

Calgary… A new child-focused facility will be developed in Calgary to offer victims and families a comprehensive and immediate response when allegations of child abuse are raised.

“Calgary is in need of a Child Focused Centre to help reduce the distress and fear of child abuse victims and their families. Co-locating an expert team of front-line staff, law enforcement and health professionals at one site is critical to closing the gaps between service providers,” said Yvonne Fritz, Minister of Children and Youth Services. “This funding is an important first step to help ensure better support for victims of child abuse and their families.”

The centre will house a team of law enforcement, health, and child and family services professionals who will provide support to abused children and their families while improving communication and furthering justice when a crime has been committed.

“Preventing child abuse is a shared responsibility. Our communities know what they need to address this type of crime, and the Safe Communities Innovation Fund provides an opportunity for them to do just that,” said Verlyn Olson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “I commend the partners of this project for recognizing the need to work together to provide a support network in Calgary for victims of child abuse. Through this partnership, we are building safer communities.”

“A one-stop centre for child abuse in Calgary is long overdue,” said Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson. “The goal is to lessen the trauma for child victims, establish more effective communication with partner agencies, improve investigations and prosecution, and ensure better support for victims and their families.”

The project is funded through a $1.4 million provincial Safe Communities Innovation Fund grant. This fund builds on the work of the Safe Communities Initiative and the Crime Prevention Framework to address crime on an immediate basis and over the long term. For more information visit www.safecommunities.alberta.ca/scif.
The Government of Alberta is committed to ensuring that programs and services are in place to support vulnerable and at-risk children, youth and families.