About us
CALAS de l’Outaouais is a non-profit organization, founded in 1977, that supports women who have been sexually assaulted and that fights against sexual violence.
Through its direct assistance work, CALAS supports women and girls aged 12 and over who have experienced sexual assault regardless of their age, culture, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or disability
CALAS also carries out prevention and awareness work in order to reduce the most persistent prejudices and demystify sexual assault. Finally, CALAS’ mission is to fight against sexual assault, violence against women, and the oppression that women experience.
After more than 40 years of existence, the Centre d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions sexuelles de l’Outaouais (CALAS) is known and recognized by its community as an essential organization in the support of women survivors of sexual assault, but also in defending women’s rights.
History
Like many CALACS throughout Quebec, CALAS is an autonomous feminist non-profit organization that was created in the 1970s as a result of the mobilization of women concerned about the problem of sexual violence.
Originally, it was called CAVVO (Centre d’aide aux victimes de viol de l’Outaouais). Until then, no specific resources existed to support women who were victims of sexual assault and to fight against sexual violence in the Outaouais region.
When the private becomes political
In the 1970s, the Quebec feminist movement started to be more visible. Women denounced the violence they suffered. Issues that had previously been considered private were made public. Awareness groups were formed, inspired by the American model. There were discussions on sexual assault, domestic violence and women’s living conditions, as well as critics of a patriarchal society. Reflexion led to action. Women demanded quality services adapted to their needs. They themselves were the driving force behind the necessary changes by setting up autonomous groups whose actions were oriented from two angles: individual and collective.
The Outaouais region was no exception to this. It was in this context that CALAS Outaouais was created, thanks to the support of the CLSC de Hull and the efforts of women interested in the cause. The help center quickly became active within the feminist movement in Outaouais. Early on, it distinguished itself in its approach and in its interventions to support women, to prevent violence and to fight against it.
1977
Launching of the CAVVO (Centre d’aide aux victimes de viol de l’Outaouais)
1978
Grant from the Ministry of Health and Welfare
1979
Creation of the Regroupement québécois des CALACS (by the CAVVO and the Châteauguay, Montreal, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières centers) whose first mandate is to ensure the financial survival of the centers.
1980
Grants are cut following the decision of the Ministry of Social Affairs to integrate the services of the assistance centers with those of the shelters. The CAVVO, supported by the Maison Unies-Vers-Femmes, opposes this decision.
Creation of the “collectif de l’Outaouais contre l’exploitation sexuelle” by women who continue to meet despite the closure of the center.
First demonstration of “La rue, la nuit, femmes sans peur” in Hull, Quebec and Montreal.
1981
First Day of action on sexual violence (Journée d’action contre la violence sexuelle faite aux femmes)
1982
Resumption of activities and re-opening of the doors of the CAVVO
Change of name of the center to CALAS (Centre d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions sexuelles) to better reflect its mission and activities
1983
Demonstration against the opening of a strip club in Hull
1985
In order to meet the prevention needs of children, CALAS participates in the creation of the “Espace” program, which becomes an autonomous organization in 1989.
Move to our current location
1987
CALAS workers travel to San Francisco to receive training in radical therapy.
1990
Participation in the 50th Anniversary Committee for Women’s Suffrage
1995
Participation to the Marche du pain et des roses in Quebec City
1998
Implementation of the emergency support protocol for victims of sexual assault. CALAS is responsible for intervention with women and girls in the Outaouais region, except in the Gatineau Valley and Pontiac.
2000
Participation in the World March of Women (WMW) in New York
2003
Demonstration in front of the Gatineau courthouse
2004
Organization of self-defense courses for women
Creation of the Women More Discriminated Against committee composed of workers and activists
2005
Participation in the WMW in Quebec City
2006
Mobilizations to consolidate the CALACS network in Quebec
2007
Participation in the implementation of the CALACS of Maniwaki and sponsorship of the organization
Creation of a promotional video with workers and activists
2008
Mobilization against Bill C-484, which infringes on the right to abortion in Canada
Participation in the gathering of young feminists “Toujours Rebelles”
2010
Participation in the WMW in Rimouski
2011
Development of a sexual assault prevention program for people living with an intellectual disability.
2012
Creation of COCES, the “collectif de l’Outaouais contre l’exploitation sexuelle”
2013
Development of an awareness video on sexual assault myths and prejudices.
Joining the Régime de retraite par financement salarial des groupes de femmes.
2015
Beginning of co-construction of the Empreinte prevention program, in collaboration with RQCALACS and UQAM.
2017
Secured emergency funding to respond to the surge in demand brought on by the #MeToo movement.
2018
The Empreinte program is starting to roll out to a few schools in the region and develops a facilitation and intervention guide for the #GCPT program (#GardeÇaPourToi)
2019
Implementation of Reception Areas to address the needs of women waiting for follow-up.
Implementation of the Voix de sortie project for women and girls seeking to leave prostitution.
Updated CALAS logo and image.
2020
Increased funding to CALAS’ mission from the Department of Health and Human Services.
History
Like many CALACS throughout Quebec, CALAS is an autonomous feminist non-profit organization that was created in the 1970s as a result of the mobilization of women concerned about the problem of sexual violence.
Originally, it was called CAVVO (Centre d’aide aux victimes de viol de l’Outaouais). Until then, no specific resources existed to support women who were victims of sexual assault and to fight against sexual violence in the Outaouais region.
When the private becomes political
In the 1970s, the Quebec feminist movement started to be more visible. Women denounced the violence they suffered. Issues that had previously been considered private were made public. Awareness groups were formed, inspired by the American model. There were discussions on sexual assault, domestic violence and women’s living conditions, as well as critics of a patriarchal society. Reflexion led to action. Women demanded quality services adapted to their needs. They themselves were the driving force behind the necessary changes by setting up autonomous groups whose actions were oriented from two angles: individual and collective.
The Outaouais region was no exception to this. It was in this context that CALAS Outaouais was created, thanks to the support of the CLSC de Hull and the efforts of women interested in the cause. The help center quickly became active within the feminist movement in Outaouais. Early on, it distinguished itself in its approach and in its interventions to support women, to prevent violence and to fight against it.
Les missions du CALAS
Des moyens concrets pour atteindre des objectifs
Direct assistance
Collaborative consultation
fight
Prevention awareness
Direct assistance
Calas works with girls and women aged 12 and over who have experienced sexual assault regardless of their ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability.
Objectives
Reclaiming power over one’s life by reducing the consequences of sexual abuse.
Resources
Individual follow-up, group follow-up or accompaniment (emergency accompaniment when the sexual assault is 5 days old or less, judicial accompaniment)
Collaborative consultation
CALAS works to maintain and improve consultation and collaboration with community organisations and institutions in the network.
Objectives
To develop a better linkage of services, to improve the quality of life of women in the Outaouais and elsewhere and to defend women’s rights.
Resources
Associated regional and provincial consultations, as well as in ad hoc committees and partnerships.
fight
As a feminist group, CALAS denounces, advocates and mobilises for deep social change and activism.
Objectives
To enable women to regain power in the public sphere, to reclaim their voice as citizens and to stand up in solidarity against violence against women. These actions contribute to reminding everyone that “the personal is political”.
Resources
Marches, military formations, rallies, letters of support, petitions, consultations, memoirs, etc.
Prevention awareness
CALAS wants to prevent sexual assault and raise awareness of the extent of the problem and the resources available to victims.
Objectives
Removing the most persistent prejudices and demystifying sexual aggression.
Resources
Workshops and kiosks offered to different settings, such as educational settings, community organisations or institutions.
Structure
Aligned with our analysis and based on our political conviction, we wish to eliminate the inequalities and imbalances generated by a hierarchical structure. CALAS has therefore chosen a collective and horizontal management system.
Functioning in a collective
Here, there is no director or coordinator, but a team who shares in the equal management of the organization. The team also shares power within a collective, composed of members elected at the annual general assembly.
As opposed to a hierarchical operation based on the subordination of others, the collective values equal distribution of power.
As opposed to hierarchy, individualism and competitive values that transcend our society, working without hierarchy constitutes a privileged path to arrive at a more egalitarian, collective and cooperative environment.
The feminist intersectional approach
An intersectional feminist approach guides our interventions and how we operate. It is based on the premise that not all women are equal and that certain groups of women have been silenced or marginalized within the various social movements.
For a diverse movement against sexual violence
Feminist intervention in the context of sexual violence is insufficient if it does not take into account the diverse experiences of women and the multiple types of discrimination that intersect and make the experience of sexual violence very particular. The violence that women face is often shaped by other dimensions of their identity. Afro-feminist Audre Lorde states, “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.”
Our feminist approach therefore considers how different systems of oppression such as racism, ableism, heterosexism, and class, can intersect with patriarchy to exacerbate women’s vulnerabilities, specifically in the context of sexual violence. In addition, economic and social considerations, such as access to employment, housing, health services, childcare, education, or even factors such as migration status, impede the accessibility and inclusion of all women to available services. Our intervention, prevention and advocacy strategies take into account these specific contexts of vulnerability.
CALAS is mainly financed by the Ministry of Health and
by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux.
We also receive funding from the United Way and other donors including the
including the Secrétariat à la Condition Féminine.
