Last week the Government of Alberta announced that it was awarding $5.5 million in funding to 19 groups working to stop human trafficking.
The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) in Red Deer will receive $600,000 over two years to continue their work in child exploitation and human trafficking.
"The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre does all of the abuse investigations through the Central Region, having all of our ministerial partners co-located in one building," explained CEO Mark Jones. "Once they've shared their story, we can get them into where they need to go to get resources and help."
The Centre also has an education program component to it as well.
"That's what a portion of this will be is to get out into the middle schools and high schools and community groups to be able to talk about child exploitation, human trafficking and what it is and how to recognize the signs of it and what to do if you suspect it's happening to somebody you might know," added Jones.
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He noted that creating awareness is key.
"We have the data to prove that it is in fact happening in Central Alberta. Probably the largest growing crime currently in North America."
Jones says CACAC has exponentially increased its intake, working with kids in child forensic interviews and counseling in addition to court cases.
"As more people find out about what we do, there's more people reporting," he stated.
Jones noted that if charges are laid and kids have to go to court, CACAC will work with the children and families to help prepare them. The Centre also offers a medical clinic on the third floor, where if people are medically stable, they're able to come into the Centre to be able to have their examination done as opposed to have it done at the emergency room.
Jones says CACAC will also be hiring a Social Systems Navigator, which will be able to help victims navigate through the various systems.
"Once we get the kids out of the trafficking world, we need to be able to have resources and things for them to do," he commented.
The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre opened its doors in November 2017.
Since then, it has expanded to employ more than 20 core staff.
The Centre is situated on the third floor of the Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence in Red Deer.
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