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14 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 31, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Abused kids at heart of Valentine's gala The Halton Trauma Centre has been on a mission since 1983 to break the cycle of child abuse -- and the statistics are grim. Not so grim is the centre's upcoming signature fundraiser of the year. The eighth annual Valentine's Gala will be held on Feb. 10 at LeDome Banquet Hall in Oakville. At a cost of $100 per person, attendees will be treated to an unforgettable evening of fine dining and dancing that includes a silent and a live auction. This year's special guest will be Mike Lipkin, one of the world's foremost motivators and communicators. Tickets are available by calling 905825-3242, ext. 223 or e-mailing at dhall@on.aibn.com. The Valentine's Gala is not only a timely opportunity to remember the collective responsibility to protect children in need and to strengthen Canada's families, but time to accelerate education and awareness of this very public epidemic. Believing that kids belong to everyone and are the responsibility of everyone, the centre works to ensure the childhood taken away from some of them is given back before it's too late. The Halton Trauma Centre provides clinical assessment and treatment services to children, adolescents and the families that are affected. "We are all familiar with the expression that it takes a village ­ that is, a collective and thus, a community, to raise a child," said Darryl Hall, executive director for the centre. "But more than that, it takes a community to protect a child, to teach a child, to comfort a child and to invest in a child's future," said Hall. The rate of substantiated maltreatment in Canada, excluding Quebec, increased by 125 per cent from 1998 to 2003. The number of confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect nearly doubled in Ontario between 1993 and 1998. Substantiated cases of physical abuse rose from an estimated 4,200 cases to 8,000 and substantiated neglect cases jumped from 4,400 to 8,900. The Halton Trauma Centre treated over 400 individuals and family groups last year alone. Demand for the Centre's services has created a current waiting list that is a staggering four months long. The Halton Trauma Centre is working hard to change lives and give hope. Children leave the centre with much prom- Halton Trauma Centre's upcoming ise for a positive future Feb. 10 gala will support the centre's and the necessary tools fight to combat child abuse. required to live healthy, Established in 1983, happy and productive lives in Halton Trauma Centre has their community. come to be widely recognized Hall, his eyes intense and as a leader in the field of childpurposeful, issues a powerful hood interpersonal abuse call to action for the Halton (physical, sexual, or emotioncommunity. al), children displaying prob"We must work together lematic sexualized behavior, to break down the stigma and adolescents who have comsilence surrounding child mitted sexual offences, and abuse. Victims of abuse and with sibling incest. maltreatment do not belong Its multidisciplinary team to a specific economic stra- is comprised of highly tum nor do they reside in spe- skilled, field experts to offer cific neighbourhoods. A regular training, supervision child's voice is often small, and consultation to other ignored and unheard. We professionals and communimust raise the volume so that ty partners. everyone hears their mesIts program also conducts sage," he said. public awareness initiatives and The country, our commu- research in the area of child nities and concerned citizens abuse to promote best practice must work together to break guidelines, treatment innovathe cycle of abuse. tions, and public awareness. Further information on the For more on Lipkin visit Halton Trauma Centre and its www.mikelipkin.com. services can be found on its For more on the centre website at www.haltontrauma- visit www.haltontraumacencentre.ca. tre.ca. Winter Clearance 60% Off Everything In The Store MAKE YOUR WEDDING Up To All merchadise priced to clear a lasting celebration Make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society to honour a loved one or in lieu of bomboniere, favours and gifts. Learn more about the Canadian Cancer Society LIGHTING CENTRE 157 CROSS AVENUE · OAKVILLE Across from the GO Station Wedding Celebration Program Visit www.cancer.ca/weddingcelebrations Or call the Canadian Cancer Society at (905) 845-5231 or (416) 440-3330 905-844-9541