When one first walks into the new facility, it is apparent not a single detail has been overlooked.
There are mirrors on the reception desk the perfect height to keep a little one entertained, trees pop out of the floor encouraging children to find the hidden butterflies and “rivers” guide them to the various play areas where they can escape the troubles these young people have had to endure.
“This place was designed from a child’s eyes,” said Bonnie Johnston, chief executive officer of the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre. “Everything we do here is about best practice. We have a large vision of victim support and ultimately we want to do better for our kids.”
With areas for dress-up, cozy nooks for reading and entertainment areas with the latest video games, it is difficult to believe the centre is a day care or kindergarten class.
Behind the scenes it is clear this facility is focused on dealing with some of the most horrific crimes in southern Alberta.
On May 23, the official opening of the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre was held in Calgary. The facility, located on the fourth floor of the Calgary Child Development Centre, is a unique partnership between Alberta Child and Family Services, Calgary Police Services, Alberta Health Services and Alberta Justice.
Kennedy, a resident of the MD of Foothills, said the focus of the facility is early intervention and prevention with a goal of ensuring children who are victims of sexual abuse are not lost in the system and have a chance to heal.
Kennedy said he was overwhelmed by the generous support from the three levels of government and corporate Calgary proving the issue of child sexual abuse is no longer something to be swept into the shadows.
“It is about time these issues get recognized; when a child walks in the doors we pay attention to this type of crime,” said Kennedy. “We need to be there. Often this is the beginning of a downward spiral so if we can start investigating the issue as best we can and not revictimize the kid, but start working with other groups to turn the kid’s life around, then I think we are in a better place.”
Indeed, what makes the centre unique is it houses social workers, clinical psychologists, therapists and police officers all in the same building allowing them to collaborate with one another in their investigations.
Dr. Daniel Garfinkel, a psychologist at the centre, said having everyone under one roof enables them, when a new case arrives, to get together at one table, triage the case efficiently and provide the needed services to the child.
Garfinkel said the centre was welcomed and embraced by the professionals and front line workers.
“This is validation and reassuring because it shows the community is paying attention to the issue of child abuse and the community cares about the work we do,” said Garfinkel. “Also, it allows us to collaborate and we want to work together. We are not isolated any longer.”
Detective Stephen Johnston, a member of the Calgary Police Service’s child abuse unit, provided a one-on-one tour of the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre and it was impressive to see what goes on behind the playful reception area.
The centre houses the police service’s child abuse unit, which includes 16 officers who work in a hub area alongside social workers from Alberta Child and Family Services. Working in teams, detectives and social workers are able to discuss strategies and ideas.
The area also houses the Child at Risk Response Team, which is a formal partnership of a police officer and social worker. There is a team on call 24 hours a day and their mandate is early intervention into neglect or abuse.
“This provides us with a huge opportunity to offer wrap around services which are about children, safety and compassion,” said Johnston. “This is tough, tough work, but these people are exceptional. We work in a different environment, but these people want to be here.”
It is clear when walking through the facility there is a synergy, a culture where the front line workers feel empowered to be successful in their goal of early intervention and prevention of child sexual abuse.
So much so, the staff said they want this facility to be the example of best possible practice when addressing child sexual abuse.
At the core is Kennedy, who is proud to have the facility bare his name and has spearheaded the centre’s mandate of early intervention, prevention and ongoing support.
“I want to make sure we are doing everything we can to be successful,” said Kennedy. “We have to take care of everybody who walks through these doors — staff and kids.”
