On Thursday, March 14, the Commerces-secours project, first deployed as a pilot project in Suroît businesses in 2021, launched its new website and distinctive new visual signature. This will enable victims to quickly and easily identify participating businesses. 

In concrete terms, Commerces-Secours is an initiative designed to give victims of domestic violence access, through local businesses, to a safe place to communicate freely with the help resources available to them.

The project is simple. On a voluntary basis, employees of a participating business receive a one-hour training session from La Passerelle, an organization that helps women victims of domestic violence in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region. 

All they have to do is wear an "SOS Violence conjugale" badge on their uniform. The same logo can be found on the company's exterior window. A victim of domestic violence can then call one of these employees, who will discreetly lead them to a room where information and a telephone are available. 

In the Suroît region, six organizations are taking part in this initiative: IGA Extra Famille Vincent (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield), IGA Extra Famille Viau (Vaudreuil-Dorion), the Municipality of Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague, Familiprix Saint-Polycarpe, Jean-Coutu Île-Perrot and the City of Beauharnois. 

A victim at the origin of this initiative 

This project was initiated by a victim of attempted murder and kidnapping in a domestic context. Not only did she overcome this ordeal, but she was also able to initiate this solidarity movement aimed at creating a safety net around victims of domestic violence.

Initially, the initiative was launched as a pilot project by the Vaudreuil-Soulanges and Suroît conjugal and sexual violence committees.The Haut-Saint-Laurent conjugal violence and sexual assault committee then joined forces.

Now, in March 2024, Commerces-Secours' three service territories are joining forces to help victims of domestic violence by launching these two new tools. 

The website brings together resources for victims of domestic violence and information for businesses interested in joining the project.Finally, Commerces-Secours has developed a range of tools to help raise awareness and recruit merchants.

You can find out more about this project on the dedicated website: https://commerces-secours.ca/.