At Marie-Vincent, we believe that all children deserve to live a happy life, grow and develop in a healthy environment, thrive and reach their full potential. No child should experience violence or exhibit problematic sexual behaviors without receiving appropriate help. No child should have to endure the severe psychological, physical, familial, academic, and social consequences wrought by violence. To achieve this, we believe in the power of prevention, education, and awareness—engaging children, adolescents, parents, professionals working with youth, and the general public in fostering egalitarian and harmonious relationships to prevent sexual violence and support young people with problematic sexual behaviors.
About Us
Our Mission
We support child and adolescent victims of sexual violence as well as children and adolescents with problematic sexual behaviors by providing them, under one roof and in collaboration with our partners, with the services they need. We contribute to preventing violence through education and awareness while also assisting children with sexual behaviour problems.
Our Dream
We dream of building a world free from sexual violence against young people. In the meantime, we strive to be the voice for child and adolescent victims of sexual violence and in the prevention of problematic sexual behaviors among youth. We are convinced that by mobilizing the entire population, we can positively influence the lives of our youth.
Our Vision
We work every day to build a protective community and provide unifying leadership in Quebec in the fight against violence toward children and adolescents. To achieve this, we collaborate with our partners to:
- Strengthen the capacity to prevent violence by training professionals and supporting organizations.
- Modify the developmental trajectory of children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence and those with problematic sexual behaviors by offering them therapeutic and psychosocial services.
Our Values
As long as there are young victims of sexual violence, we will be there to help them overcome their ordeal by providing specialized, effective, and tailored services. Sharing expertise with our partners and the community, we can work together to ensure that the best services are available throughout Québec.
Our Model
Marie-Vincent is the first Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) to have opened its doors in Quebec. CYACs meet the needs of vulnerable youth and their families, including victims of sexual violence, with a coordinated and multidisciplinary approach in a safe and comfortable environment.
Marie-Vincent embodies this approach by offering, at its Montreal and Montérégie centers, integrated services under one roof, including specialized spaces for psychosocial and psychotherapeutic support, police investigation interviews, medical consultations, or support in preparing for court testimony. We create a safe and welcoming environment, minimizing secondary revictimization and fostering better coordination of interventions in the best interest of the youth.