Sexual abuse support organization
The CALACS Longueuil helps all female survivors of sexual abuse through individual follow-ups and support groups.
OUR HISTORY
In 2018, the members of CAFAL (Feminist Action Committee of the Agglomeration of Longueuil) decided to set up an autonomous community organization by and for women in order to fight against sexual abuse in the Longueuil region.
Driven by a desire to denounce the various forms of violence experienced by women and to give power back to survivors, the approach of these committed women workers and citizens is bearing fruit after four years of struggle and determination.
Funded by the city, CALACS Longueuil was born during its Founding assembly on March 23, 2022.
We sincerely believe that it is by working together, drawing on the strengths and resources of survivors, that we can better fight against sexual violence.
OUR APPROACH
At CALACS Longueuil, our interventions are aimed at reducing the impact of sexual abuse and empowering survivors to take control of their lives, through a vision "by and for" women.
We work with an intersectional feminist approach. This means that we believe in the ability and strength of all survivors to take charge, to protect themselves and to work together, and individually, to regain their personal power.
We also believe that it is essential to recognize the different forms of oppression present in women's lives. Each woman's reality is unique in the face of different forms of discrimination (racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, etc.), and our interventions take this into account.
OUR HISTORY
In 2018, the members of CAFAL (Feminist Action Committee of the Agglomeration of Longueuil) decided to set up an autonomous community organization by and for women in order to fight against sexual abuse in the Longueuil region.
Driven by a desire to denounce the various forms of violence experienced by women and to give power back to survivors, the approach of these committed women workers and citizens is bearing fruit after four years of struggle and determination.
Funded by the city, CALACS Longueuil was born during its Founding assembly on March 23, 2022.
We sincerely believe that it is by working together, drawing on the strengths and resources of survivors, that we can better fight against sexual violence.
OUR VISION
Sexual violence is an act of domination, humiliation, abuse of power and violence, most often committed by men towards women and children.
For us, sexual violence stems from patriarchal structures within our society and is nourished by multiple systèmes of discrimination.
It is a form of social control which aims to maintain womens fears and the inequalities they face.
OUR VALUES
At CALACS Longueuil, our interventions are aimed at reducing the impact of sexual abuse and empowering survivors to take control of their lives, through a vision "by and for" women.
We work with an intersectional feminist approach. This means that we believe in the ability and strength of all survivors to take charge, to protect themselves and to work together, and individually, to regain their personal power.
We also believe that it is essential to recognize the different forms of oppression present in women's lives. Each woman's reality is unique in the face of different forms of discrimination (racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, etc.), and our interventions take this into account.
Declaration of services for victimes of a crime
01 Our services
The services provided at CALACS Longueuil are completely confidential, free, and offered in three languages (french, english, and spanish)
It is not necessary to want to file a legal complaint or to be a member of the CALACS Longueuil in order to receive our services.
The work that the CALACS Longueuil does in seperated into four (4) catergories that are necessary and allow us to efficiently continue our mission.
Direct aid;
Raising awareness and workshops;
• Militance and the community life;
• Battling against sexual violence and representations.
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02 Direct aid
CALACS Longueuil offers individual sessions (help, support, active listening, refering) in person, by phone, or all other forms of technologies. There are also group sessions for women who have completed some individual sessions, we also accompany survivors through legal appointments, as well as refering them to other services or organisations when necessary.
03 Support for loved ones
We have support groups for those close to someone who lived sexual violence. The goal is to help the loved one deal with their emotions and the situation, while also providing tools on how to help the suvivor of sexual violence.
It is also possible to meet with a worker ponctually.
04 Awareness and prevention
The CALACS Longueuil regularly implicates itself into divers activities and representations in the field. These prevention and educational measures aim to raise awareness in the population and favour a greater amount of woman to come forward in order to break the wall of silence and lift the veil off this issue.
• Prevention programs within schools and the ''My prom belongs to me'' program.
• We also offer workshops to other companies, organisations, or groups on different subjects such as sexual assault, consent, psychological and sexual harassment within the work place and
''How to receive when someone confides in you that they have faced sexual violence''
05 Battling and right advocates
Battling sexual violence and defending the rights of survivors are an integral part of our mission at CALACS Longueuil. It is important for us to demystify, accompany, and inform the women during their legal and judicial procedures in order to be assured that their rights are heard and respected and that their needs are met.
The category of battling sexual violence is mainly dedicated to serve the interest of survivors of sexual violence as well as every woman within our community.
We had a mandate to defend and denounce the social injustices affecting women and adolescents who have survived sexual violence, this is done by making sure their rights are respected.
At CALACS Longueuil, our interventions are aimed at reducing the impact of sexual abuse and empowering survivors to take control of their lives, through a vision "by and for" women.
We work with an intersectional feminist approach. This means that we believe in the ability and strength of all survivors to take charge, to protect themselves and to work together, and individually, to regain their personal power.
We also believe that it is essential to recognize the different forms of oppression present in women's lives. Each woman's reality is unique in the face of different forms of discrimination (racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, etc.), and our interventions take this into account.
The rights of the women who use the services at CALACS Longueuil
The person being helped...
has the right to be treated with courtesy, equity and comprehension in the respect of their dignity, their autonomy, their needs, their identity and their intimacy.
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has the right to have their values respected. The intervention worker must not impose their own values on the women who use our services.
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has the right to their file.
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has the right to be respected and supported in the decisions that she makes.
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has the right to be respected in her own rythm during her healing journey.
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has the right to be referred to another service or professional if the intervention surpasses the limits and capacity, knowledge and/or competences of the intervention worker.
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has the right to the same treatment regardless of their social status and that of their loved ones.
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has the right to be informed about our services as well as other resources available in the community as well as how to access them.
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has the right to be accompanied by a worker and be assisted in the procedures she wishes to embark on to obtain certain information as well as understanding information.
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has the right to be accompanied during interventions so long as the accompanier does not negatively impact the work of the worker at the CALACS Longueuil.
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has the right to file a complaint for services she judges were poorly rendered by the intervention worker at CALACS Longueuil, see point f) Filing a complaint
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a le droit de porter plainte pour les services qu’elle juge mal rendus par une intervenante du CALACS Longueuil, voir le point f) Mécanisme de plaintes
Confidentiality
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The worker must respect they anonymity, the confidentiality of all information that can be transmitted by the person being helped as well as her file.
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The worker cannot divulge any information to another professionnal without written authorisation from the survivor or when the law demands it, in this case, the worker will inform the woman.
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The worker must at all times respect the confidentiality of the woman using our services unless this last one is in a situation of danger to herself or to someone else. In this case, the worker must not keep the personal responsibility of the intentions of the person using the services; she will have to speak with her coworkers and superior or to the concerned authorities.
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The end of the sessions or when a worker departs does not negate the aspect of confidentiality, the worker must continue to respect the aspect of confidentiality.
Filing a complaint
All survivors having received services at CALACS Longueuil have the right to file a complaintfor services she judges were poorly rendered by an intervention worker at CALACS Longueuil. She can file a complaint towards the person and/or the organisation, depending on her choice.
The coordinator of CALACS Longueuil. Mme Sylvie Lanlais or to the secretary of the Board of Directors, and this,
-by writing at : C.P. 21052, Place Jacques Cartier, Longueuil (QC) J4J 5J4
-par écrit électronique a : coordocalacslongueuil@gmail.com
-par téléphone : 450-616-8580.
All victims have the right to be informed on the issue of her complaint. If a complaint is filed at the CALACS Longueuil, we are engaged to do a follow up with the person who filed the complaint within 10 working days by the communication method of her choice, either in person, by writing either written or e-mail, or by phone.
You may also file a complainte written or verbal towards the Complaint commissioners. If you wish, you can use the form used for this from the CISSSS de la Montérégie Centre which you will find at this address :
However, using this form is not mandatory.
Commissioner for Complaints and Quality of Services
Commissaire aux plaintes et à la qualité́ des services :
CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre :
3120, Boul. Taschereau
Greenfield Park (Québec) J4V 2H1
Téléphone : 450-466-5434
Without fees : 1-866-967-4825, post 8884
Opening hours : Monday to Friday de 8 h à 16 h
Web Site : https://www.santemonteregie.qc.ca
All victims have the right to be informed of the issue of the complaint. The commissioner must contact you with the conclusions of the analysis of your complains at the latest 45 calandar days following the reception of the complaint.
Le centre d'assistance et d'accompagnement aux plaintes (CAAP) can help you formulate your complaint and accompany you throughout the procedures.
These services are free and confidential.
150, rue Grant
Longueuil (Québec)
J4H 3H6
Phone. : 1 800 263-0670 (numéro sans frais)
E-mail: https://caapmonteregie.ca
To know more : https://www.caapgim.com
Contact and opening hours
Address : C.P. 21052, Place Jacques Cartier, Longueuil (QC) J4J 5J4
Phone: 450-616-8580
E-mail: info@calacslongueuil.org
Website: https://www.calacslongueuil.org/
Facebook: Calacs Longueuil
Opening hours : Monday to Friday 8h30 to 12h00 and from 13h00 à 16h30, as of september 2024.