People in abusive relationships don't always see signs of trouble until it's too late, but Laval police hope to prevent the cycle of domestic violence from starting with a new exhibit aimed at Secondary 4 students.
Designed like a multimedia labyrinth, Laval teens walk through this exhibit and explore every stage of a fictional couple's relationship. There are 16 stations in the maze and it shows a cycle of abuse – visitors read a young woman's diary, hear a phone call from her boyfriend and even see his jealousy and how it affects her.
“We want them to be aware, what is domestic violence, what is the cycle,” said Genevieve Boisvert Pilon of women’s shelter Maison Le Prelude.
The program is a partnership with the Laval police, local women's shelters, and school boards. More than 500 students will visit the exhibit.
Laval police say abuse can happen at any age, but each year they see lots of reports from young women.
“The [goal] of this program is to have the kids think about what is acceptable and not acceptable in their relationships with their boyfriends or girlfriends,” said Cst. Evelyne Boudreau, spokesperson for the Laval police.
The exhibit teaches the high schoolers that domestic violence isn’t just physical violence, but also sexual violence, psychological violence like harassment, financial violence and isolation.
At the end of the exhibit, students read menacing texts from the boyfriend. They even get to see what it's like to be arrested and go to court. The organizers hope it will help them to recognize unhealthy relationship behaviour before it turns dangerous.
“We want them to see that it's not just a one-time event. It’s part of a cycle that can start over again if nothing comes to break it,” Boisvert said.
Resources in Laval for people who are in abusive relationships
Maison l’Esther, for women and children who are victims of domestic violence
450-963-6161
Maison de Lina, for women and children who are victims of domestic violence
450-962-8085
Maison Le Prélude, for women and children who are victims of domestic violence
450-682-3050
Mesure alternative jeunesse, helps young deliquents
450-663-7674
CAVAC, resources for victims of crime
1-866-532-2822
Centre de Prévention et d’Intervention pour les Victimes d’Agression Sexuelle, helps victims, male and female, of sexual violence
450-669-9053
Shield of Athena, helps victims of family violence
1-877-274-8117
Carrefour d’hommes en changement de Laval, works to prevent domestic violence and suicide in the male population
450-975-2462
