Working together to build a better future for women and girls
The YWCA Montreal has created resources to help foster high schools and post-secondary institutions free of sexual and gendered violence for all students and personnel!
Has your educational institution put in place a mandate to prevent sexual violence? This website provides various tools and resources to make your sexual violence prevention and intervention work much easier.
In recent years, statistics and social movements have revealed the prevalence of sexual violence in college and university settings. To respond to this issue, the Quebec government put in place an Act to prevent and fight sexual violence in higher education institutions. Since it is not always easy to access ready-made resources to counteract sexual violence, we have developed and compiled a few, just for you!
You will find instructional documents, informational posters and ready-to-go workshops that can be used both for students and staff. Learn more about sexual violence prevention, intersectional approaches, helpful reactions to disclosures, bystander intervention strategies, and so much more.
Each tool contains instructional notes to assist with workshop facilitation. These notes consist of suggestions to help the facilitator adapt to different contexts.
We recognize that offering activities around the issue of sexual violence can be very difficult! This is why we advise you to be well prepared by consulting all of the suggested tools and recommended resources, before facilitating a workshop. Lacking the relevant knowledge and/or necessary skills pertaining to sexual violence intervention/prevention could have detrimental impacts on workshop participants.
Fundamentals
Let’s start by gaining an understanding of the fundamental concepts of sexual violence. In this section, our objective is to ensure that everyone has the same understanding of the issue.
DEFINITIONS
All types of sexual violence
- Better understand and identify sexual violence.
- Provide fundamental knowledge about sexual violence.
Can you differentiate between different types of sexual violence? Identify the nuances so that survivors and perpetrators can be better informed.
Quiz
Sexual violence
- Test knowledge about sexual violence.
Test your participants’ understanding of the different types of sexual violence before or after providing them with the definitions.
Impacts
- Impacts of sexual violence on overall health and well-being
- Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Inform participants of the impacts of sexual violence.
- Highlight that the impacts are not dependent on the nature of the sexual violence incurred.
Learn about the impacts of sexual violence and the importance of acting to prevent it.
Compliment the activity by circulating an informational poster highlighting the different impacts that sexual violence can have.
Updated version of the poster posted online on: Mar. 21, 2022
Complexities
Once you have a good grasp of the key concepts, it is important to understand the complex issues related to sexual violence. This will allow you to better identify the factors that contribute to its prevalence in society.
Abuses of power
Different types of abuses of power
- Broaden your understanding of sexual violence.
- Understand that sexual violence does not necessarily imply physical assault.
- Learn to identify abusive behaviour.
A quiz activity to better identify the different types of abusive behaviours connected with sexual violence.
Intersectionality and systemic oppressions
- The concept of intersectionality
- Realities of certain marginalized groups with respect to sexual violence and the barriers they face when attempting to access support resources.
- Recognize how sexual violence is intertwined with oppressive social structures.
- Establish the reflex of thinking about the intersections of oppression when developing prevention, intervention and/or advocacy strategies regarding sexual violence.
Discover how sexual violence intertwines with oppressive social structures and the elements that need to be taken into account with respect to intersectional prevention and intervention methods.
Intervention approaches
Along with working to prevent sexual violence, it is essential that survivors receive adequate support. The quality of support provided can considerably affect a survivor’s physical and mental health. This section contains educational activities as well as a list of resources to facilitate adequate accompaniment and advocacy for survivors.
Reactions to disclosures
- Helpful reactions to disclosures
- Harmful reactions to disclosures
- Learn about helpful versus harmful reactions to disclosures of sexual violence.
- Recognize to what extent a response to a disclosure can either encourage or interfere with the healing process of the survivor.
- Practice helpful reactions through role-play.
Is your response to a disclosure of sexual violence helpful or harmful? Assess your knowledge using this quiz activity.
Bystander intervention
- The 5 Ds of bystander intervention
- Concrete intervention options for bystanders witnessing sexual violence
- Learn about the different ways to intervene.
- Give participants the power to act when they witness sexual violence or harassment.
- Try out the 5 Ds of bystander intervention within different scenarios.
Learn about the different ways to intervene when witnessing an instance of sexual violence or harassment.
Support resources
Sexual violence is a sensitive topic. As such, it is important to respect your own limits, to take care of yourself and to delegate tasks if the responsibilities pertaining to sexual violence intervention/prevention prove to be challenging.
Several organizations, including the YWCA Montreal, can share the load and facilitate workshops at different locations. Do not hesitate to ask for help.
Always have key resources at hand pertaining to sexual violence support services in Quebec.
The following resources offer services to everyone, except when a specific target age, gender or audience is indicated.
Services specific to sexual violence
Sexual violence help-line
| Target audience | Any person who is a victim of sexual violence and their family members |
| Language | French, English |
| Services | Free. Confidential. 24/7 |
| Phone |
1-888-933-9007 (everywhere in Québec) 514-933-9007 (Montréal region) |
| Website | https://infoaideviolencesexuelle.ca/ |
Help and Information Center on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
| Target audience | Anyone who has experienced harassment in the workplace |
| Language | French, English |
| Services | Free. Confidential. Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm |
| Phone | 514-526-0789 (everywhere in Québec) |
| Website | gaihst.qc.ca |
Centre d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel - CALACS
| Target audience | Girls and women 14 years and older who are victims of sexual violence |
| Language | French, English |
| Services | Free. Confidential.
CALACS are present in several regions. Visit their website to find out which CALACS is closest to you and its opening hours. |
| Phone | 1-888-933-9007 (everywhere in Québec) |
| info@rqcalacs.qc.ca
(Email from the CALACS group. See their website for the email address of the CALACS in your region). |
|
| Website | http://www.rqcalacs.qc.ca/index-en.php |
Ça suffit - Support for people suffering from sexual fantasies towards minors
| Target audience | Adults or adolescents of all genders suffering from sexual fantasies towards minors, with or without acting out. |
| Language | French, English, Spanish |
| Services | Free. Confidential. Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm |
| Phone | 1-844-654-3111 (everywhere in Québec) |
| casuffit.info@gmail.com | |
| Website |
Online chat and self-help platform |
Milieu d’intervention et de thérapie en agression sexuelle - MITAS
| Target audience |
|
| Language | French |
| Services | Confidential. Free for minors, variable fees for adults. Monday to Thursday 9am-4pm. Therapy dogs for victims of sexual violence. |
| Phone |
1-844-662-6755 (Joliette et Repentigny) 450-755-6755 (Joliette et Repentigny) |
| mitas@mitas.ca | |
| Website | mitas.ca |
Intervention Centre in Sexual Deliquency - ICSD
| Target Audience | Adolescent or adult perpetrators of sexual violence who have already committed or are at risk of committing sexual violence. |
| Language | French, English, Spanish (website in French only) |
| Services | Free. Confidential. Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm |
| Phone | 579-641-3941 (Laval and Montréal) |
| info@cidslaval.com | |
| Website | https://www.cidslaval.com |
Centre d’intervention en violence et agressions sexuelles - CIVAS
| Target audience | Adolescent and adult perpetrators of sexual violence and their family members. |
| Language | French |
| Services | Fees according to income. Confidential. Monday to Friday. |
| Phone |
1-819-564-5127 (Estrie and Montérégie) 450-656-6524 (Estrie and Montérégie) |
| Website | civas.ca |
Centre d’entraide et traitements agressions sexuelles - CETAS
| Target audience | Any victim or perpetrator of sexual violence and their relatives. |
| Language | French |
| Services | Variable rates for perpetrators. Free for survivors. Confidential. Monday to Friday. Variable hours. |
| Phone | 450 431-6400 (Laurentian region) |
| cetas@info-cetas.com | |
| Website | info-cetas.com |
SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND INTERSECTIONAL REALITIES
Office des personnes handicapées du Québec - OPHQ
| Target audience | Any person living with a physical or mental disability |
| Language | French, English |
| Services | Free. Confidential. Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm |
| Phone |
1 800 567-1465 (everywhere in Québec) 1 800 567-1477 (teleprinter) |
| aide@ophq.qc.ca | |
| Website | ophq.gouv.qc.ca |
Alter heros (Neuro/Diversities Program)
| Target audience | Neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ people aged 14-30. Victims of sexual violence and their family members. |
| Language | French, English |
| Services | Free. Confidential. Services offered in all regions of Quebec. Monday to Friday 9am-6pm |
| Phone | 438 830-4376 (administration only) |
| neurodiversites@alterheros.com | |
| Website | Chat via alterheros.com |
Maison des femmes sourdes de Montréal
| Target audience | Deaf and hard of hearing women who are victims of sexual or domestic violence |
| Language | French, American Sign Language (ASL), Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) |
| Services | Free. Confidential. Monday to Friday 9am – 4:30pm |
| Phone | ATS : 514 255-6376 (Montréal, Rive-Nord, Rive-Sud) VOIX : 514 255-5680 (Montréal, Rive-Nord, Rive-Sud) |
| Other | Text : 514 503-5282 Skype : accueil.mfsm |
| femmessourdes@mfsm.ca | |
| Website | mfsm.info |
Interligne (ALIX Program)
| Target audience | LGBTQ+ victims of sexual violence and their family members |
| Language | French, English |
| Services |
Free. Confidential. 24/7 The organization offers a list of resources across the province. Visit their website to find out which ones are in your area. |
| Phone | 1 888 505-1010 (everywhere in Québec) 514 866-0103 (Montréal area) 1 888 907-2720 (legal clinic) |
| Text | 1 888 505-1010 |
| aide@interligne.co | |
| Website | alix.interligne.co and chat via interligne.co |
RÉZO (VRAIH Program)
| Target audience |
|
| Language | French, English, Spanish |
| Services |
Free. Confidential.
|
| Phone | 514 521-7778 (Montréal area) |
| Other | Online chat services through all of Quebec |
| info@rezosante.org | |
| Website | Chat via rezosante.org |
Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal (Iskweu Program)
| Target Audience | Indigenous women and children |
| Language | French, English, Inuktitut |
| Services |
Free. Confidential.
|
| Phone |
514 933-4688 (Montréal area) 1 866 403-4688 (everywhere in Canada) |
| Website | https://www.nwsm.info/en/home |
Carrefour d’aide aux nouveaux arrivants (CANA)
| Target audience | All newcomers, regardless of their status |
| Language | French, English, Spanish, Arabic |
| Services | Free. Confidential. Listening and referencing services. Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm |
| Phone | 514 382-0735 (everywhere in Quebec) |
| infocana@cana-montreal.org | |
| Website | cana-montreal.org |
HOTLINES, REFERRALS AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Tel-jeunes
| Target audience | Anyone 20 years of age or younger |
| Language | French, English |
| Services | Free. Confidential. 24/7 |
| Phone | 1 800 263-2266 (everywhere in Québec) |
| Text | 514 600-1002 |
| Website | Chat and email via https://www.teljeunes.com/Home |
Kids Help Phone
| Target audience | Anyone 20 years of age or younger |
| Language | French, English |
| Services | Free. Confidential. 24/7 |
| Phone | 1 800 668-6868 (everywhere in Québec) |
| Text | 686868 |
| Other | Chat via Messenger |
| Website | kidshelpphone.ca |
CAVAC (Crime Victims Assistance Centre)
| Target audience | Anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime |
| Language | French, English |
| Services |
Free. Confidential. CAVACs are present in several regions of Quebec. Visit the website to find the CAVAC nearest you and its opening hours. |
| Phone | 1-866-532-2822 (everywhere in Québec) |
| Website | https://cavac.qc.ca/en/ |
Crime Victims' Compensation - IVAC
| Target audience | Any person who is a victim of a criminal offence and their family members |
| Language | French, English |
| Services |
Free. Confidential. IVAC is present in several regions across Quebec. Visit the website to find out which IVAC is closest to you and its opening hours. |
| Phone |
1 800 561-4822 (everywhere in Canada) 514 906-3019 (Montréal area) |
| Website | https://www.ivac.qc.ca/en/Pages/default.aspx |
SOS Domestic Violence
| Target audience | All victims of domestic violence and their families |
| Language | French, English |
| Services | Free. Confidential. 24/7 |
| Phone | 1 800 363-9010 (everywhere in Québec)
514 873-9010 |
| Text | 418 601-1211 |
| sos@sosviolenceconjugale.ca | |
| Website | Chat via https://sosviolenceconjugale.ca/en |
Mouvement d'information et d'entraide dans la lutte contre le VIH-SIDA à Québec (MIELS-QUÉBEC)
| Target audience | Any person living with HIV/AIDS |
| Language | French, English (website in French only) |
| Services | Free. Confidential. Monday to Friday 9am – 4:30pm |
| Phone | 418 649-1720 |
| dgmiels@miels.org | |
| Website | Chat via miels.org |
CLSC - Centre local de services communautaires
| Target audience | Any victims, witnesses or perpetrators of sexual violence and their relatives |
| Language | French, English |
| Services | Free. Confidential. See the website for the CLSC in your area and its opening hours. |
| Website | indexsante.ca/clsc |
L'R - Coalition of Women's Centres of Quebec
| Target audience | Women 18 years and older |
| Language | Dependent on the organization/centre |
| Services | A network that brings together hundreds of women’s centers across Quebec. Visit their website to find out which ones are in your area. |
| Website | https://rcentres.qc.ca/en/ |
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Suicide prevention line
| Target audience | First line intervention for anyone in distress and their family members |
| Language | French, English |
| Services | Free. Confidential. 24/7 |
| Phone | 1 866 APPELLE (1 866 277-3553 – everywhere across Québec) Text : 1 855 957-5353 |
| Website | Chat via https://suicide.ca/en |
911
For any emergency or to report an act of violence you have experienced or witnessed, you can call 911 or contact your local police department, if you are comfortable with police intervention.
Canadian Centre for Child Protection
| REPORTING OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION ON THE INTERNET | |
| Target audience | All persons 18 years of age and under |
| Language | French, English |
| Services | Free. Confidential. |
| Phone | 1-866-658-9022 (anywhere across Canada) |
| Other | Report form via their website |
| Website | https://cyberaide.ca/en/ |
REMOVE PHOTOS/VIDEOS OF A SEXUAL NATURE FROM THE INTERNET |
|
| Target audience | Any person 13-17 years old |
| Language | English, French |
| Services | Free. Confidential. |
| Phone | 1-866-658-9022 (anywhere across Canada) |
| Other | Report form via their website |
| Website | https://aidezmoisvp.ca/app/en/index |
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