Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the prevention of child abuse. On August 27, 1998, Sheldon Kennedy, the former NHL hockey player who was abused by his junior coach, visited Yellowknife as part of his cross Canada campaign to stop child abuse. Yellowknife Mayor Dave Lovell proclaimed August 27th Child Abuse Awareness Day in honour of Mr. Kennedy during a luncheon barbecue at City Hall.
During his one-day stay in Yellowknife, Sheldon spoke at St. Patrick's High School and visited Ndilo and the Territorial Treatment Centre. In addition, he was able through a teleconference set up by NorthwesTel to speak with people in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Inuvik and Whitehorse. Mr. Speaker, I believe that Sheldon's campaign had an impact here in the Northwest Territories as I am sure it has in the rest of Canada. Speaking out and standing up against child abuse takes courage and conviction of purpose. Sheldon's visit is to facilitate change in attitudes toward abuse, and to change in the way that we respond to abuse. He has started the Sheldon Kennedy Foundation. Its objective is to make a major contribution to the prevention and treatment of child abuse, through awareness, education and action. I believe that one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against child abuse is awareness. By making people aware of the horrors of abuse and by supporting people in their healing, we can reduce the suffering that results from child abuse. Mr. Speaker, the prevention of child abuse can only be achieved if we work in partnership with individuals, families and communities. We all have a duty and a responsibility to protect our children from abuse by teaching and educating them. Children need to know when they are being treated inappropriately. They need to know that they do not have to put up with inappropriate behaviour. They need to know that there is somewhere they can get help. Further and just as important, we need to provide, by example, an abuse free life style.
Children can also be protected by creating an atmosphere in our communities where they feel safe enough to come forward if they are being mistreated or abused. When children do come forward we need to take action. We need to provide support and protection services, as well as legal and counselling services for those who have been victims of abuse. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services, in partnership with the Status of Women, has produced a brochure called Help Stop Child Sexual Abuse. We distributed this brochure at the sessions held with Sheldon Kennedy. This brochure states what child sexual abuse is, where to report abuse and provides the names of agencies that can provide assistance to those who have been abused. Additional copies of the brochure are being distributed across the NWT to boards, local offices, counselling agencies and shelters. I have distributed copies to all Members of this House.
Mr. Speaker, child abuse is a serious problem and we hope to raise awareness of this issue and the resources available to those in need. Children are our most important resource and we need to ensure that they grow up in a safe environment so that they have the opportunity to become contributing members of our society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause