Voies Project

The Voies Project was developed to address the pressing need for sexual violence prevention initiatives for children requiring additional support—a particularly vulnerable group. With funding from the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation, the Lanterne program was adapted and new tools created through the Voies Project. These resources are specifically designed for children aged 4 to 12 who have cognitive and/or communication challenges due to mild intellectual disability (ID), autism with mild support needs, or developmental language disorder (DLD).

In Québec, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys are victims of sexual violence before the age of 18. For children with intellectual disabilities, the risk is nearly four times higher. The actual prevalence of sexual violence among this group is likely underestimated.

(Daigneault et al., 2023 ; Jones et al., 2012)

“Creating pathways to see and hear children with additional support needs in order to prevent sexual violence.”

Who is Voies For?

  • Children aged 4 to 12 with additional support needs, including those with cognitive and/or communication challenges due to mild intellectual disability (ID), autism with mild support needs, or developmental language disorder (DLD).
  • Professionals working with these children.
  • Adults in their support network.

Objectives

  • Well-being and safety: Addressing the specific needs of children requiring additional support.
  • Psychosexual development: Gaining a deeper understanding of developmental stages and challenges.
  • Adapted intervention: Providing effective tools and strategies for appropriate intervention.
  • Knowledge of sexual violence: Understanding key concepts and the impact on children.
  • Common intervention framework: Aligning the practices of support teams.
  • Best practices: Responding appropriately to disclosures and reports of violence.
  • Safe environments: Creating conditions that support the successful implementation of the project.

Approach and Content

Research confirms the importance of teaching protection skills to children requiring additional support. Helping them establish clear boundaries for appropriate behaviours in different situations and with various individuals is essential.

The Voies Project follows a socio-ecological approach, engaging all key actors in a child’s environment. This model fosters collaboration between different settings in the child’s life, coordination among multidisciplinary teams, and respect for the rights of children requiring additional support.

The Voies tools are practical, simple, and interactive. Based on a rigorous needs analysis, they include adaptable activities to support sexual violence prevention, engaging playful learning experiences tailored to children’s needs, and visual supports for everyday use.

Voies Training

This 6.5-hour training program is designed for professionals and frontline workers. It covers best practices in sexual violence prevention, as well as key components of sexuality and psychosexual development in children requiring additional support.

Learn more about the training

Tools

Voies Guide

A guide for professionals and frontline workers providing tools and clear guidelines for disclosures and reporting of sexual violence. It addresses healthy, concerning, and problematic sexual behaviours as well as preferred interventions.

Children’s Book

A children’s book set in a school context that addresses assertiveness and interpersonal boundaries.

Activity Guide

A workbook for professionals and practitioners, gathering structured and sequenced activity ideas to conduct with children. It is organized by theme and according to different stages of child development. Some activities involve the use of the children’s book.

Visual Supports

A collection of visuals to be used particularly during activities. It contains a decision tree, cards, illustrated sequences, and pictograms. This is a tool for professionals and practitioners to facilitate daily communication.

Video Capsules

Three awareness capsules for parents that deconstruct myths about sex education and sexual violence prevention for children with additional support needs.