Edmonton's Zebra Centre is helping more child victims of abuse. Here's why
CBC
Edmonton's Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre, which helps child victims of abuse, says an increase in "complex cases" is contributing to a rise in its caseload.
Another factor is an increase in overall reporting of instances, Zebra Centre CEO Emmy Stuebing said in an interview.
The centre saw 2,362 children in 2019 and 2,844 kids the following year.
In 2021, the cases increased again, to 3,844.
So far this year the number of children supported has been roughly on par with numbers for 2021, Stuebing said.
About 60 per cent of the young people the centre saw last year were victims of sexual abuse, she said.
"We believe there is an increase in reporting. People are more aware and they are less afraid to report," she said.
"The other reason why we think numbers are increasing is that we are seeing an increase in complex cases.
"For example, when it comes to internet crime and internet cases, there might be one person who is connecting with dozens or upwards of 100 children."
Stuebing cited a case from 2021, when about 100 children were brought into the centre to be interviewed about one adult who was approaching children online.
"We are generally not open on Saturdays but we ended up having to open up six Saturdays in a row to accommodate all those extra children coming in," she said.
Stuebing said the centre is starting to see more files like that.
The restrictions phase of the COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to a rise in abuse, according to police and advocates.
Mary Jane James, CEO of the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, said some children were more isolated and more vulnerable.
This First Person column is the experience of Shannon Flaman, who lives in Red Deer, Alta. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
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