Since its creation in 1988, the Montreal Assault Prevention Centre (MAPC) has committed itself to raising awareness and protecting marginalized groups and vulnerable populations from harm and abuse. Indeed, the nonprofit organization offers different programs tailored to children, teenagers, women, and people with intellectual disabilities. MAPC is dedicated to helping these groups by providing them with the knowledge and tools to navigate bullying, harassment, and abuse. The organization also offers self defense courses to adolescent girls and women to help them combat physical violence.
It’s important to note that the programs are fee-based and mainly available in French.
ACTION Self-Defense Program
One of the first initiatives, the ACTION self-defence program provides participants with verbal and physical self-defence techniques. To cater for all women, the program is adapted for the hearing impaired, visually impaired and mobility impaired. Classes have a maximum of 20 participants and are run by women to help participants feel more comfortable.
Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Program
The CAP program is designed for parents and children from pre-school to primary school ages. It addresses the themes of freedom and safety in childhood. Using discussions, role-playing, and puppets, the workshops define aggression and teach participants how to distinguish between the role of victim and that of the aggressor.
Workshops for People with an Intellectual Disability
Primarily designed for people living with an intellectual disability, the workshops focus on raising awareness, techniques for prevention, and strategies for defending themselves against bullying and aggression. In order to help this population’s support network, the program is also available to family members, guardians and caregivers. The workshops are flexible and can be followed in a format of two, four or eight sessions.
Positive Discipline Program
To address the issue of child abuse, MAPC created the Positive Discipline program and tailored it to parents and adults with children in their care. By asking participants about disciplinary techniques, the workshop encourages them to reflect on the objectives and consequences of unhealthy discipline and its repercussions on children’s wellbeing. Through these workshops, the organization promotes and encourages non-violent and caring education techniques.
Address
2100, Guy Street
Montreal (Quebec) H3H 2M8
514-284-1212
