One in three Canadians has suffered some form of child abuse and to help bring attention to the issue, Algonquin’s child and youth worker students are joining forces with the Children’s Aid Society.
“October is Child Abuse Prevention Month,” said Carly Skead, a third-year student in the program. “Our campaign focuses on raising money for CAS’ Cookie Jar Fund which is collecting sports equipment and extra curricular items that (children) would regularly need.”
Groups of child and youth worker students will set up booths throughout the college in the hope that people will give generously towards the Purple Ribbon Campaign on Oct. 22-23.
“We’re going to have pamphlets, a big Bristol board and lots of posters,” said 20-year-old Brianna Falcao. “And a purple donation box that people can drop (money) in and donate. This is all to raise money for a great cause.”
Class representative Lynn Lebeau says the campaign should shed some light on the harsh reality of today’s child abuse figures.
“I think it’s (about) raising awareness of these numbers,” said Lebeau. “These stats are overwhelming. Five children die everyday from child abuse? That’s extreme. “
Before the age of 18, 31 per cent of males and 21 per cent of females will have experienced physical abuse, while 35 per cent of females and 16 per cent of males will be the victims of sexual abuse.
“It’s about raising awareness of the facts of child abuse,” said Lebeau. “Because most people have no clue how prevalent it is in our society.”