ViRAJ Ontario CSCHN is a program designed to prevent violence in youth romantic relationships, specifically for young people aged 14 to 25. It is designed to encourage the development of healthy, equal and respectful relationships.

The program consists of two interactive, dynamically facilitated workshops that allow young people to reflect, discuss and develop their own strategies for dealing with situations of violence.

Created in 1989 by Francine Lavoie and her team at Laval University, ViRAJ has been implemented for many years in high schools across Quebec and other countries. It has proven its worth thanks to its participatory approach and engaging intervention techniques, such as visualization and forum theater.

What sets ViRAJ apart is its lively approach, rooted in the reality of young people’s lives. Humor, concrete examples and active participation enable young people to better understand the issues involved in interpersonal relationships and to find concrete alternatives to violence in its various forms.

Our objectives:

• Raise awareness about the different forms of violence in relationships, in order to better recognize and prevent them.
• Encourage reflection on control and power dynamics in relationships.
• Encourage the use of non-violent solutions to manage conflicts within relationships.
• Promote behaviors and attitudes that reinforce equality, mutual respect, and communication in relationships through workshops offered to young people.