Childhood abuse study launched by University of Calgary, Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre

Ongoing mental health challenges faced by victims of childhood abuse will be the focus of a long-term study by the University of Calgary and the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre.

The university's Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, along with the Kennedy centre, will conduct the study. In its initial two-year pilot stage, the study is to involve 240 children between six and 17.

Half of the participants will have experienced childhood abuse while the other half will have not.

"For 20 years I have been working to help people really understand the impacts of child abuse — making the invisible, visible. This research will help us do exactly that," former NHL player Kennedy said Thursday.

"We've got enough science to understand that the impact is very real on the developing brain of children, it has lifelong effects. What this study is meant to do is not just understand the impacts, but what are some solution-focused tools that can be used to redevelop the brain and to show into the health sphere that this isn't just a social services issue and a justice issue, this is a health issue," he said.

Up to 1,000 children to be included

After the two-year phase, researchers hope to expand the study and enrol up to 1,000 children, who will be followed over 10 to 15 years.

Kennedy was the first victim of Graham James to come forward 20 years ago and detail the sexual abuse he suffered under the former junior hockey coach.

In 2013, Kennedy helped open the advocacy centre in Calgary. It brings together under one roof the services of police, social workers, medical staff, psychologists and prosecutors to keep young victims from having to constantly retell and relive their abuse.

Since it opened, the centre has assessed more than 4,500 infants, children and youth who have suffered abuse. One-third of those children and youth have serious mental-health concerns, including self-harm, addiction, sexualized behaviour and suicidal thoughts.

"We are very grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Mathison Centre for this groundbreaking study, as we know it will result in even greater understanding of the impact of trauma on the developing brain," said the centre's CEO, Bonnie Johnston. 

"What this study brings is two things that are highly innovative," said Dr. Paul Arnold, a child psychologist and director of the Mathison Centre at the university's Cumming School of Medicine.

"One is the ability to follow children over time from soon after the time of their initial abuse," Arnold said. "The second is... the interdisciplinary nature of the research."

Arnold said the study's results could provide a guide to care for abuse victims in the future.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS | LGBT soldiers to be honoured with rainbow wreath in Calgary
• MORE CALGARY NEWS | $33M earmarked for Sunnyside pump station, Bonnybrook berm after 2013 flood