A two day child abuse conference will be held in Grande Prairie next week. Director of the Caribou Child & Youth Centre Lois Roth says this is the first ever conference of this size held in Grande Prairie on the topic of child abuse.
“One of the goals of the conference is simply to raise awareness of this important topic. The reality is that within every community, every neighbourhood, and every school there are children be impacted and experiencing abuse.”
The Keynote Speaker is former NHL hockey player Sheldon Kennedy. He is known for his decision to charge his Major Junior Hockey league coach with sexual assault for abuse he experienced as a teenager.
“He’s received a number of awards. He has brought a lot of government agencies together. He has also brought public and private sectors together for collaboration talk on how they can improve.”
There will also be sociologists, professors and child advocates speaking at the event.
The event is held at the Stonebridge Hotel on November 14th and 15th. Registration costs $250 and can be done through the Caribou Child & Youth Centre.