Latest news with #childadvocacy
CTV News
10-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘More than just companions': Child advocacy centre gets new support dog
Realtors, Royal Lepage have donated a new support dog to the centre to help children suffering abuse. The centre now has 3 dogs – Rue, Quinn and Carter. The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) in Red Deer welcomed a new support dog to help children through difficult times. Rue is the four-pawed friend donated to the CACAC by Royal LePage Realty Corp. She comes from Dogs With Wings Facility and has spent the past month in Edmonton training with a handler. The centre now has three service dogs: Rue, Quinn and Carter. 'They're more than just companions,' said Cassandra Galenzoski, director of operations for CACAC. The dogs are trained to support kids going through hard times. Galenzoski said they sit in with them during the interview process to try to 'bring down the stress levels.' The dogs can even take the stand with children in court to ease the nerves of testifying. Galenzoski said the centre is seeing over 500 children and youth per year that need support, so the demand is keeping service dogs like Rue 'booked and busy.' 'They are considered employees, right? So they have working hours, they get vacation. They work really hard when they're here,' Galenzoski said. But the dogs still 'get to be dogs,' she said, when their service vest is off. Galenzoski said Rue still has a 'transition period' before she can do full-time service. The CACAC is a non-profit group started in 2017 by CEO Mark Jones. Jones banded a team of community members and organizations that wanted to protect children and support their families. Now, much of their work addresses the multi-faceted problems of neglect, abuse, maltreatment and mental health issues and the ensuing legal processes. 'Part of our role is to not cause additional trauma, because something already happened to those kids when they got here,' Galenzoski said. 'So we're trying to make the process as streamlined and seamless as possible.' Because there are costs associated with the three service dogs, the CACAC has a program on their website that people are able to support. Galenzoski said there are also plenty of volunteer options – there's even a chance to volunteer to raise the next dog like Rue.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Advocates call on B.C. government to reinstate Family Benefit bonus
Child advocates are raising urgent concerns about the B.C government's decision to discontinue the Family Benefit bonus as of July 1. The now-cancelled bonus provided as much as $713 annually to low-income families with two children. The First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society is calling on the province to re-instate the bonus. 'They're going back in time, putting more (families) – especially low-income families – in deeper poverty,' said executive director Adrienne Montani. The decision comes as many parents are struggling to make ends meet, Montani added. 'Families are facing extraordinary cost pressures,' she said, noting that the reduction in support comes 'just as children are out of school, and school meals and other services are unavailable.' In a statement, B.C.'s Ministry of Finance told CTV News the benefit was always means to be temporary, and was 'provided at a time when inflation and interest rates were especially high.' Montani said for the families in need of that extra support, 'nothing has changed.' 'Rent is still too high and costing them too much,' she said. 'Inflation may have slowed but that hasn't affected their food costs, their basic family expenses.' 'It's a week full of groceries' Among the parents eligible for the bonus was Prince George resident Meghan de Jong, a single mother with two children. 'Things like this may seem little to some people, but for someone like me it's a week full of groceries,' she said. 'From where I'm sitting, things are getting harder especially when you're trying to juggle the kids. They're telling us that our struggles are being overlooked.' While the Ministry of Finance noted families can still collect the normal Family Benefit, de Jong said it's just not enough. 'For people in my situation, who count every penny, it's a big cut,' she said.
Independent Singapore
17-06-2025
- Independent Singapore
'I saw a woman slap her child on the MRT, what should I do?'
SINGAPORE: A local Reddit user took to the platform to ask others what they would do after seeing a mum slap her daughter, who looked like she was around five years old, in public. In a Sunday (Jun 14) post on r/askSingapore, under the heading 'Parents being violent towards kids in public,' u/runawaycauli wrote that they were on the MRT when the incident occurred and described t he slap as 'so loud that people around us looked.' 'She wasn't even doing anything disruptive, not that it matters,' the post author added. Since they felt 'weird' because they did not do anything after the mum slapped her child, they went to the station office after getting off the MRT to tell the staff about it, but wondered if they had overreacted. 'The worker implied it was her child, so she can do whatever she wants (…not really true). He still said he would forward the issue and took down my contact info. I work with children, so maybe I felt it was important to at least say something… think it's tricky, but what would you do in this situation?' See also Another parent claims Kinderland teacher ill-treated her child Many people have since responded to the post, expressing sympathy toward the child but also saying that it's a complicated situation, since intervening may cause the parent to get angrier and lash out against their child even more. 'Yelled at a mother for slapping and screaming at her kid for not doing well in school. SHE THEN TURNED TO HER KID AND YELLED, 'SEE LA! SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!' She then scurried away, dragging her kid,' wrote one. Others, nevertheless, thanked the post author for their concern. 'A couple of years ago in Hong Kong, I saw a dad yank his daughter's ponytail, and I went to the school that I recognised the uniform of. The school knew the man's situation and set up a discussion to see how they could help them. Hoping it made a difference in the girl's life. Your act may seem useless now, but who knows who will come to their aid at one point? Good job,' wrote one. One reminded the post author of Singaporean law, writing, 'It is illegal in Singapore. You should intervene. You should call the police. You may need to remind them of the laws in Singapore, as many think this is ok.' 'The Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA) defines a child as someone who is below 14 years of age and a young person as someone who is aged 14 years and above, but below 18 years old. Child abuse is defined as any act of commission or omission by a parent or caregiver that would endanger or impair the child's or young person's physical or emotional well-being. Child abuse may be in the form of physical abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, s e x u a l abuse, and neglect,' says the website of the Ministry of Social and Family Development. Those who have reason to believe a child is being abused may call the National Anti-Violence Helpline at 1800-777-0000. 'Calling the helpline is the first step to prevent or stop any abuse. If the child's life and safety are in imminent danger, please call the Police at 999 immediately,' MSF adds. See also Pornhub rocked by child abuse, rape video claims More information about reporting possible abuse cases may be found here . /TISG Read also: Child abuse in S'pore continues to rise following record high cases in a decade in 2020; majority cases of neglect
BBC News
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Hull children in care create social workers' card game
A card game has been created by children in care to help social workers understand what is important to game, named The Cards You're Dealt, features an image and statement on each of the playing cards with something the children feel is important to their Linda Tock from Hull City Council said it was designed to "challenge social workers to put themselves in the shoes of young people in care".The game was created by the Hull Young Voices Influencing Care group and has been featured by Coram Voice, a child advocacy charity. 'So proud' Seven cards are given out to each player and there is time to pause to discuss the issues on the cards during the game will be used by professionals to think about the scenarios young people face in care and how they can work towards helping the portfolio holder for children's services at the council, said: "Lots of our teams have played it already, and feedback so far has been really positive. "I'm so proud that young people in Hull will be influencing social care up and down the country, as well as here at home." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Globe and Mail
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Family Law Attorney Michael Ian Bender Sworn in as President of Illinois Judges Foundation
Retired judge, family law attorney, child advocate, and author Michael Ian Bender ( has been sworn in as the new president of the Illinois Judges Foundation (IJF), continuing a distinguished career dedicated to supporting families and children through the legal system. With more than 25 years of experience, first as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County's Domestic Relations Division and later as a practicing attorney, Bender brings a deep and informed perspective to his leadership of the Foundation. As a family law attorney, Michael Ian Bender has worked to help parents handle complex legal issues while minimizing the emotional toll on children. His years on the bench gave him direct insight into how divorce and custody proceedings affect children's lives. He now applies that knowledge at Caesar & Bender, LLP, where he focuses on thoughtful and constructive outcomes in family law cases. Bender's work as a family law attorney is also reflected in his book 'Protecting Children: Bettering the World One Child at a Time.' The book offers a clear framework for reducing trauma for children involved in divorce, custody, and parentage disputes. 'The trauma that children suffer due to disputes between their parents has long-lasting negative effects,' Bender writes. 'This trauma is heightened at times of divorce and separation.' Now, as president of the Illinois Judges Foundation, Bender plans to further the organization's mission to support judicial education and promote access to justice, especially for children and families impacted by the court system. His background gives him a valuable understanding of how to guide the Foundation's efforts in a way that bridges judicial integrity with real-world legal experience. The Illinois Judges Foundation, the charitable arm of the Illinois Judges Association, supports a variety of educational and outreach programs across the state. With Bender at the helm, the Foundation is expected to expand initiatives aimed at helping judges, attorneys, and the public better understand how legal processes can support child development and family stability. Bender's leadership of the Foundation comes at a time when courts and legal professionals are paying closer attention to how legal systems affect the mental and emotional health of children. He remains active in his legal practice at Caesar & Bender, LLP, where he continues to help families find pathways toward resolution that prioritize long-term well-being. Families facing the challenges of divorce or custody disputes will recognize in Michael Ian Bender a leader who understands not only the law but also the lasting effects legal decisions have on children's lives. His new role as president of the Illinois Judges Foundation reflects a continued commitment to fostering legal environments that protect and support the next generation. About Caesar & Bender, LLP: Caesar & Bender, LLP is a Chicago-based law firm that represents clients in complex family law matters, including divorce and child-related legal issues. The firm is led by Molly E. Caesar and Michael Ian Bender, both of whom are deeply committed to helping families handle legal challenges with practical guidance and a focus on long-term well-being. With decades of combined experience, the firm is committed to minimizing conflict and guiding clients through legal challenges with clarity and care. Embed: GMB: Email and website Email: mbender@ Website: Media Contact Company Name: Caesar & Bender, LLP Contact Person: Michael Ian Bender Email: Send Email Phone: (312) 815-6141 Address: 150 N Michigan Ave #2130 City: Chicago State: IL 60601 Country: United States Website:
