“We all need to work together to create safe and inclusive communities, wrap our arms around survivors, and end the stigma surrounding these traumatic events. This is our collective responsibility”

DID YOU KNOW ... each one of us has a legal duty to contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) if you believe a child is in danger ... including situations of suspected sexual exploitation, and any other type of abuse -- the same the same hold true across Canada.

For children suffering from abuse at the hands of those responsible for them, and / or exploiting them, the consequences can be severe; suicides, addictions, dropping out of school, legal problems and more ... including mental health issues.

I asked about legislation, with regards to issues such a child victimization, sexual abuse and exploitation.  According to Judy Darcy ... BC’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development:

“Time and time again, we see how important it is for families and children to get the mental health supports they need early to build a solid foundation they can rely on throughout their lives. Most mental health challenges start early in life, and without support, they can have lasting impacts.”

One block in that support is the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) -- the legislative authority for Child Protection Services. It allows the Director of Child Protection to delegate the provision of child protection services across the province to child protection social workers.

Next door in neighbouring Alberta, Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women Minister Leela Aheer, spoke to these same issues stating;

“We know more work needs to be done and are committed to supporting frontline workers so they can respond effectively to sexual violence and help survivors heal”.

“I want to share my sincere gratitude to all frontline workers in sexual assault centres, women’s shelters and crisis centres across the province”.

Lianna McDonald, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P), has seen her Manitoba organization grow from a grassroots volunteer organization more than 30 years ago, into a national charity fighting child victimization around the world. 

C3P is just one example of how people in a community, a region, or even across-provinces can set a goal to reduce the exploitation of children, assist in locating missing children, and preventing child victimization, and helping families in their greatest time of need.

These are things we all have a responsibility for, and as Aheer commented yesterday (May 9^th), “We all have a role in preventing and ending sexual violence ... and to take action to help survivors.”

She continued, “(we need to) show our support by finding opportunities to get involved in our communities, talking to children and youth about healthy relationships and consent, modelling respect and speaking out against sexual violence in all its forms”.

To that end here in British Columbia, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General supports a number of prevention, intervention and awareness initiatives to address sexual exploitation of children and youth.  That includes providing over $37 million each year to fund and support over 400 victim service and violence against women, as well as victims of child and youth sexual exploitation.

“Government continues to support police who are focused on preventing sexual exploitation, as well as the many local organizations serving young survivors and helping them to heal”, stated Judy Darcy and Katrine Conroy.

Governments, organizations, and individuals are aware of the responsibility to protect our youth from exploitation, because of the profoundly devastating and lasting impacts it imprints on them.

As Aheer stated yesterday, “We all need to work together to create safe and

inclusive communities and wrap our arms around survivors and end the stigma surrounding these traumatic events. This is our collective responsibility”.

She then spoke of the need to, “... shine bright lights into the dark corners where survivors see a hand reaching out to them”.

Last word comes from Conroy and Darcy who stated our provincial government is, “... committed to supporting communities in developing prevention, education, enforcement and intervention strategies to address this deplorable and unacceptable criminal activity”.

PLEASE NOTE:

If you live in Manitoba Lt. Governor Janice Filmon has expended an invitation to attend a talk entitled, “From Winnipeg to the World – Fighting for the Most Vulnerable Victims.  The speaker will be Lianna McDonald of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P).  The event will take place on Tuesday May 14^th at Government House, with doors opening at 6:30pm.

Here in BC you can learn more about child protection services in B.C. by visiting www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/protecting-children. 

You can also learn more about child and family service legislation and  regulations that the Ministry of Child and Family Services is responsible for at www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/data-monitoring-quality-assurance/reporting-monitoring/accountability/legislation-and-regulations