Children as a group are particularly vulnerable to assault of all kinds. When we look only at sexual assault, the statistics are striking : 1 out of every 3 girls and 1 out of every 5 boys are sexually assaulted before the age of 18. But many children also face difficulties with peers. No child should have to accept verbal, physical, or sexual assault.

Children need prevention education!

CAP works with pre-school and elementary school age children as well as adults to create a safer community for all. There are three components to the CAP project :

-Parent program (3 hours)
-School staff workshop (2½ hours)
-Children’s workshop (2 hours)

CAP Raps

CAP raps are optional 30-minute information sessions which the Montreal Assault Prevention Centre can provide to group decision-makers who would like to know more about the goals and structure of the program.

CAP can be adapted to the specific needs of any community.

Adult Workshops

Adult workshops (for staff and parents) include :

-A history of CAP and the Montreal Assault Prevention Centre.
-An overview of child assault.
-A discussion of the role of parents in reducing children’s vulnerability.
-A how-to section about responding to children with problems.
-A description of children’s workshops.

Children’s Workshops

-Prepare children to recognize potentially dangerous situations.

-Teach practical skills and strategies to face all situations of abuse : verbal, emotional, physical and sexual.

-Inform children of their right to be safe, strong, and free.

-Discuss different forms of assault, including assault by a peer, assault by a stranger and assault by someone they know.

-Teach children easy-to-learn strategies to reduce their vulnerability including assertiveness, peer support, and network of trusted adults.

Prevention education is more effective when it builds on children’s abilities, rather than limiting them. CAP is a reassuring program which takes children step-by-step from fear to confidence using language they can understand. And the workshops are fun!

The Child Assault Prevention Project was developed by the CAP Project in Columbus, Ohio.

Workshops for adults with intellectual disabilities

The Montreal Assault Prevention Centre staff have developed a workshop for adults with intellectual disabilities. As with all programs offered by the Centre, this workshop focuses on the participants’ individuals capacities and teaching a variety of tools that are adapted to the community.