Sexual violence

What is sexual assault ?

“Sexual assault is an unwanted sexual act that takes place with or without physical contact. Sexual assault violates fundamental rights and undermines a person’s security, both physically and psychologically.” (MSSS, 2017). 

If you or someone you know is experiencing or witnessing one or more of these situations, you can ask for help. 

• You have been subjected to unwanted touching or sexual contact. 
• You feel obliged to have sex or perform sexual acts that make you feel uncomfortable
• You are wondering about a possible sexual assault/rape situation..

If the assault was recent, it is important to go to one of the two designated Laurentian sexual assault centres as soon as possible:

Hôpital régional de Saint-Jérôme ER
290, rue De Montigny
Saint-Jérôme (Québec) J7Z 5T3
Telphone: 8-1-1

Centre de services de Rivière-Rouge ER
1525, rue l'Annonciation Nord
Rivière-Rouge (Québec) J0T 1T0
Telephone: 8-1-1

You can get services from the designated centres for the six months following an assault. After this period, even if it is many years later, you can call 8-1-1 or the provincial Sexual Violence Helpline at 1-888-933-9007 for referral to an appropriate service. 

A coordinated campaign to counter sexual violence in the Laurentians

Le Comité intersectoriel en agression sexuelle des Laurentides (CIASL) is an intersectoral committee that brings together more than seventy (70) members from about thirty community and institutional organizations.  Their meetings enable partners working towards the same goal to share expertise, knowledge and experience, to optimize the service continuum and the assistance provided to individuals in the region who have been affected by sexual violence.    

The ciasl.ca website (in French only) contains information for practitioners and the general public about:

• How to make a complaint.
• Service paths (minor/adult, victim/perpetrator of sexual offences) in the event of disclosure.
• Information on sex education and the prevention of sexual assault. 

The CISSS des Laurentides is an integral part of this concerted effort, and its actions are in line with the three key areas of focus of the Integrated Government Strategy 2022-2027 | Counteract Sexual Violence and Domestic Violence, and to Rebuild Trust:

• Prevention, awareness and screening.
• Psychosocial, medical, legal, police and correctional intervention. 
• Development of knowledge, training and sharing of expertise.