Are you experiencing difficulties that are affecting your work, studies, or personal life? You can get immediate, confidential support tailored to your needs. Here are the resources available to you.
Psychological harassment
1. The INRS Employee and Students Assistance Program
Our Employee and Student Assistance Program (PAEE) is a 24/7 service that’s available to everyone. It’s completely free and fully confidential. Call 1-855-612-2998 toll-free, giving account number 1012050 if necessary.
More information
The PAEE program is completely free and fully confidential.No one will know you’re using the PAEE unless you tell them yourself.
The PAEE program provides a wide range of free resources and tools, reflecting INRS’s ongoing commitment to supporting the well-being of its staff and student community while protecting their privacy. It gives you access to a variety of professionals (like psychologists and social workers) free of charge.
For more information, visit the Employee and Student Assistance Program (PAEE) page.
2. Crisis intervention or consultation (during business hours)
f you need a crisis intervention, a one-time appointment, or regular professional care to discuss your situation, you can explore avenues of resolution or recovery and be directed to the best resource for your needs by contacting the INRS SESRE intervention team by writing to intervention.sesre@inrs.ca.
Sexual harassment
1. Crime Victims Assistance Centres (CAVACs)
Call the toll-free number 1-888-401-VACS (8227) for help or a sympathetic ear, or if you have any questions about sexual violence.
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Your call will be directed to the Crime Victims Assistance Centre (CAVAC) regional office nearest to your workplace.
This service is available Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can leave a voicemail if need be, and your call will be returned within 48 business hours. There are CAVACs in several regions of Quebec, offering service in both French and English.
2. Sexual violence committee
e INRS sexual violence committee (Comité sur les violences à caractère sexuel) is there to provide support and guidance. Call us toll-free at 1-888-401-VACS (8227) or email us at comitevacs@inrs.ca
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Please note that all communications are confidential unless information must be disclosed to enforce the INRS Policy Against Sexual Violence (for example in situations covered by the law), to implement accommodations, or to keep someone safe.
If you need to declare an intimate relationship involving an academic or authority relationship, please complete the form in Appendix A of the INRS Policy Against Sexual Violence (available on the Documents normatifs page) and send it to secretariatgeneral@inrs.ca
Domestic violence
1. INRS resource people
Resource people have been trained to guide you and direct you to the right references. They can also set up a support and safety plan if necessary. Write to us at vcf@inrs.ca
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They will respect your right to privacy at all times, and are committed to keeping all reports of domestic violence confidential. When a report is made, only the strictly necessary information will be passed on to anyone who needs it to implement, for example, an individual safety plan, or to make the workplace safer for everyone.
2. SOS violence conjugale
SOS violence conjugale is a free, bilingual telephone service available throughout Quebec for people experiencing domestic violence and their loved ones. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-363-9010 toll-free or text 438-601-1211. Their website is sosviolenceconjugale.ca
More information
SOS violence conjugale is a free, bilingual telephone service available throughout Quebec for people experiencing domestic violence and their loved ones. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service can direct the person to the nearest shelter if they so desire. The organization also offers a chat service on its website, as well as a texting service.
3. Shelters
In Quebec, there are just over a hundred aid and housing organizations across the province.
- Visit the Regroupement website (in French only) at maisons-femmes.qc.ca.
- The list of member shelters can be found here.
- For general information, email info@maisons-femmes.qc.ca.
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More specifically, the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes et enfants victimes de violence conjugale is a network of 43 shelters across Quebec. They offer accommodation and a range of services for women who have experienced domestic violence and their children.
[1] Texte tiré et adapté de Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale (RMFVVC). Guide pratique à l’intention des employeurs, des syndicats et des employé.e.s. 2021
Other resources
- If there is an emergency or you fear for your safety, call 9-1-1.
- Provincial information, referral, and hotline (24/7): Call 1-888-933-9007.
- Sexual assault help centres (CALACS)
Contact Viol-Secours (24/7) to find your area’s CALACS. There are CALACS in many regions of Quebec. - Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse
The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse website is a reference on the different forms of and reasons for gender-based harassment and discrimination. You can contact the Commission at 1-800-361-6477.
Need help or someone to talk to?
Call 1 888 401-VACS (8227) or write to comitevacs@inrs.ca.
Resources are available to the INRS community free of charge and in complete confidentiality.
