Every year, from November 25 to December 10, the world comes together for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. It is an opportunity to unite, uplift voices, and advocate for safer, more supportive environments. Together, let’s take action and stand against gender-based violence.

November 25th marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This fight is not theirs alone - it is all of ours. Together, we can prevent violence against women.

⭐ Today is National Child Day in Canada—a reminder of our commitment to protecting the rights and wellbeing of every child. 🇨🇦 Let’s continue advocating for safe communities, accessible education, mental-health supports, and equitable opportunities for all young people.

Join us TOMORROW! We’re excited to invite you to the 2025 AVA National Meeting on Thursday, November 20th - a chance to connect, collaborate, and be inspired by the incredible work happening across our national network. Register today! www.avatraining.ca/national-meeting-2025

A huge congratulations to our Junior Program Manager, Kelly Wu, on recently graduating with a Master of Data Science from the University of Calgary! Join us in celebrating Kelly’s incredible achievement! 🥳

Join us TOMORROW! The AVA Webinar Series presents Queer Epistemologies of Violence: Ecological and Liberatory Perspectives, featuring Dr. Jason C. Garvey from the University of Vermont & principal investigator of QTPiE: Queer & Trans People in Education. Wednesday, October 15, 2025 12 – 1:30pm MST

October 10 marks World Mental Health Day, a reminder that everyone deserves support and understanding. This year’s theme — “Mental health is a universal human right” — encourages us to create safe, caring spaces for all.

October is Women's History Month in Canada - a time to reflect, honour, and celebrate the courage and contributions of women who have shaped history - and to recognize the ongoing efforts for equity, safety, and justice.

We honour the life and legacy of Dr. Leslie Tutty - a visionary scholar and tireless advocate and mentor whose work transformed how we understand and respond to gender-based violence across Alberta, the Prairies, and Canada. 💙

The AVA Webinar Series presents Implementing Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapies for Youth in Specialized Settings, featuring Dr. David Lindenbach from the University of Calgary & Hull Services. 🗓️ Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 ⏰ 12–1:30pm MST Register now! www.avatraining.ca/webinars

Back to school is exciting for many but not all. For some, particularly sexually and gender diverse youth, it can mean facing bullying, harassment, & violence. 💬 PREVNet offers free resources for educators, parents, caregivers, youth & service providers. Access training & info at 👉 prevnet.ca

It's consent awareness week! Do you know the 4 Cs of consent? Consent must be Clear, Continuous, Coercion-free and Conscious. When we understand consent, we don’t just prevent harm - we help dismantle the silence, shame, and stigma that survivors of sexual violence often face.

Join us tomorrow as the AVA Webinar Series presents Rethinking Help-Seeking and Community Responsibility: Canadian Women’s Experiences of Intimate Partner Stalking, featuring Olivia Peters from the University of Guelph. ⏰ 12 - 1:30pm MST Register today! www.avatraining.ca/webinars

📚✨ Back-to-school season can bring excitement and anxiety for children and youth. New routines, social pressures, and academic demands can feel overwhelming. Remember: these feelings are normal, and with open conversations, routines, and support, kids can thrive.

Have you read the newest APrON paper? This study examined the associations between maternal exposure to certain chemicals, including trace elements and PFAS, and alterations in the major stress response system, called the HPA axis, during pregnancy. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Meet Dr. Nicole Letourneau! She leads the CHILD Studies Program & APrON studies. Dr. Letourneau is also the Scientific Director of AVA & Director of RESOLVE Alberta. She developed the ATTACH & VID-KIDS programs to support parents facing stress or depression in nurturing their children’s development.

Join us TOMORROW, as the AVA Webinar Series presents Shame-To-Guilt and Stalking: Exploring Two Forms of Intimate Partner Violence among Sexual and Gender Minorities and Women Living Rurally, featuring Stefan Kurbatfinski from the University of Calgary. Register today! www.avatraining.ca/webinars

A new article was recently published by our own Master of Nursing student, Julia Wolak! This paper aimed to provide insight on perinatal depression publications conducted by Canadian researchers. Read more: www.mdpi.com/2673-5318/6/...

Join us TOMORROW as the AVA Webinar Series presents Suing for Silence: Sexual Violence and Defamation Law in Canada, featuring Dr. Mandi Gray from Trent University. 🗓️ Wednesday, August 6th, 2025 ⏰ 12 - 1:30pm MST Register today! www.avatraining.ca/webinars

Dr. Nicole Letourneau was featured on the Now You Know with Rob Snow show! She discussed parenting in the summer including balancing supervision and independence and the importance of unstructured play. Tune at the 8 minute mark to hear Nicole’s interview: vancouver.citynews.ca/podcasts/now...

In June, members of the CHILD team travelled to Australia for the International Family Nursing Conference. Dr. Nicole Letourneau also accepted an Award of Excellence from the International Family Nursing Association!

Join us on Wednesday, July 16th, as the AVA Webinar Series presents Creating a Culture of Consent: Being an Engaged Bystander, featuring Nolan Hill from the Training Centre, Centre for Sexuality. 🗓️ Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 ⏰ 12 – 1:30pm MST Register today! www.avatraining.ca/webinars

Today is #ActionAnxietyDay, a national day of awareness that invites us to take action, speak up, and support those living with anxiety disorders. It’s about reducing stigma, educating others, and building systems of care that make healing possible.

Join us Wednesday, June 11th as the AVA Webinar Series presents A Brain Injury Informed Approach to Working with Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence with Candace Stretch and Tori Dach from The Cridge Centre for the Family. 12 – 1:30pm MST avatraining.ca/webinars/

Our new webpage is live! Check out our website and visit our social media page to keep up with our projects. childstudies.ca/social-media

🌈 June is #PrideMonth! Pride Season is an opportunity to learn more about the history and resilience of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. This month, and every day, we celebrate inclusivity, love, and acceptance for everyone.

Join us Wednesday, June 4th for the AVA Webinar Series: Exploring Adversity, Inequities, and Resilience Among Indigenous Women and Gender-Diverse People with Dr. Malcolm King from the University of Saskatchewan. 12 – 1:30pm MST avatraining.ca/webinars/

This month is #SexualViolencePreventionMonth, a time to raise awareness, support survivors, & advocate for change. Misinformation fuels stigma and silence—by addressing these myths, we can help create a culture that believes survivors, holds perpetrators accountable, & works toward a safer future.

Join us TOMORROW as the AVA Webinar Series presents Intimate Partner Violence-Caused Brain Injury: Putting Knowledge into Practice, with Karen Mason & Dr. Paul van Donkelaar from Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury Through Research. 12 – 1:30pm MST Register: www.avatraining.ca/webinars

May is Mental Health Awareness Month - a time to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma. Misinformation fuels stigma and silence—by addressing these myths, we can help create a culture that values openness, supports healing, and empowers individuals to seek the help they deserve.

This month is Sexual Violence Prevention Month. It’s a time to raise awareness, support survivors, and promote education. Talking openly with teens about consent, boundaries, and respectful relationships empowers them to make informed decisions and speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a great time to start talking about mental health and help stop the stigma. When kids learn to talk about their feelings, they become better at handling stress and tough situations.

🎉 Congratulations are in order for Alex Cuncannon who recently received the 2025 UCalgary Nursing Spark Award for Impactful Education: Graduate Student. This award recognizes a graduate nursing student who exhibits overall excellence academically, clinically and collegially.

Join us TOMORROW as the AVA Webinar Series presents Sexual Violence and Trauma-Informed Care – A Public Health Approach, with Kira Snodgrass and Mary Valenzuela from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse. 🗓️ Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 ⏰ 12 – 1:30PM MST Register today! www.avatraining.ca/webinars

CHILD Studies recently published a new paper. This study found that the quality of mother-child interactions significantly improved in those who completed the VID-KIDS program. Mothers showed higher sensitivity to their baby’s cues, strengthening their interaction. doi.org/10.3390/bs15...

Sometimes, people hide how they're really feeling by "masking" their emotions by putting on a brave face even when they're struggling inside. This can make it harder to get the help and support they need. For resources and more information: cmha.ca/mental-healt...

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers doing their best every single day, seen or unseen! We hope your day is gentle, joyful, and a reminder of how much you matter. 💛

This month is Sexual Violence Prevention Month. It's a time to raise awareness, support survivors, and promote education. Awareness starts at home. Open conversations with your child help build trust and lay the foundation for safety and respect.

Today is World Maternal Mental Health Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about maternal mental health issues and the importance of support services for new and expectant mothers. #maternalMHmatters #StrongerTogether

Join us TOMORROW as the AVA Webinar Series presents Sexual Violence in Intimate Partner Violence – Legal Frameworks and Support Strategies with Kira Snodgrass and Mary Valenzuela from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA). Register today! www.avatraining.ca/webinars

Dr. Nicole Letourneau is presenting at Expanding Horizons, Canada’s only national event dedicated to promoting and advancing the science and practice of infant and early mental health. This event brings together professionals, researchers, and advocates to shape the future of early mental health.

Today, on the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People, we honour and remember the Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have been disproportionately impacted by violence across Canada.

Everyone deserves to live safely and free from violence. May is Sexual Violence Prevention Month—a time to raise awareness about sexual abuse and support those affected by sexual violence. Sexual Violence can deeply affect children and teens. Awareness begins at home.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Let’s break the stigma and talk about mental health this month. 1 in 5 people face mental health challenges yearly. Stay tuned this month as we share more information and resources for mental health - for everyone!

Dr. Nicole Letourneau will be speaking at the upcoming AAN 2025 Annual Conference: Nursing 2.0. Learn about the key influences shaping the future of healthcare, the impact of AI, and how nurses are harnessing transformative technology.  Click to learn more: albertanursing.ca/prof-develop...

Join us TOMORROW as the AVA Webinar Series presents Rethinking Prevention–The Roots of Sexual Violence and Intersectionality with Kira Snodgrass and Mary Valenzuela from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse. 🗓️ Wednesday, April 30 ⏰ 12 – 1:30PM MST Register today! www.avatraining.ca/webinars

Did You Know? Attachment plays a crucial role in shaping a child's emotional and social development. By understanding attachment patterns, we can better support healthy, secure attachment with our children! Check out @attachprogram.bsky.social for more!

Happy Earth Day! Let’s celebrate our beautiful planet and commit to taking care of it—today and every day. 🌍💚 How are you celebrating? Comment below! #EarthDay

Join us TOMORROW, Wednesday, April 23rd, for the AVA Webinar Series: Understanding Sexual Assault, Child Sexual Abuse, and Responding to Disclosures, with Kira Snodgrass and Mary Valenzuela from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse. @12 - 1:30 PM MST avatraining.ca/webinars/

Wishing everyone a joyful and peaceful Easter filled with love, laughter, and plenty of chocolate bunnies 🐰🌸✨ May this season of renewal bring fresh hope and light into your life. Happy Easter to you and your loved ones! 💛🌷 #EasterJoy #HappyEaster