Our Story

In the wake of the World March of Women and the Orientations gouvernementales en matière d’agression à caractère sexuel, the government of Quebec devoted funds for the creation of six (6) new CALACS (sexual assault centers) in Quebec. The West Island of Montreal was one of the targeted regions. The West Island CALACS was funded in June 2001. To facilitate the process, the center was “sistered” by two CALACS: Trêve pour elles and Mouvement contre le viol et l’inceste (MCVI). Since March 2002, the organisation is part of the Regroupement Québécois des CALACS (RQCALACS).

The center is led, in its orientation as well as its administration, by an independent group of women. The activities offered are made possible with the help of workers and the invaluable help of several volunteers implicated in our organisation’s activities. Our basic principles as well as our intervention method are based on a feminist approach. In the context of sexual assault, the feminist approach stimulates the psychological, economical and cultural autonomy of women. It also allows them to regain control and power over their lives following a sexual assault. The services offered by the West Island CALACS are developed on the grounds of this ideology.

The West Island territory is known for its cultural and linguistic diversity. The center therefore ensures that it includes this reality in its activities. In fact, the West Island CALACS is the only CALACS to offer its services in both official languages. Following our wish to sensitize women who are discriminated more often, we also found it essential to provide services for women mobility.