The XOX Project: a pilot project to prevent dating violence amongst teens

Apr 19, 2023

The Edmundston Police Force, in partnership with l'Escale Madavic, are currently offering sessions to grade 10 students at the Cité des Jeunes A.-M.-Sormany, to raise awareness and give them tools to maintain healthy romantic relationships.

The XOX Project, initiated by La Maison d’hébergement l’Égide in Quebec, allows the immersion of participants through an interactive virtual experience. Different video sequences are presented to demonstrate the escalation of potential violence in a romantic relationship. The teenagers must then make choices and answer questions using an electronic tablet.

The objectives of the XOX Project are simple:

• Explain the different forms of violence, including the distribution of intimate images
• Inform teens of the consequences of violence for victims and aggressors
• Explain the investigation process and the ensuing legal process
• Clarify the cycle of violence in dating relationships
• Inform teens of existing help resources

The young participants are not left alone during these interactive sessions. The sessions are co-hosted by Community Police Officer Tonia Roussel and Constable Amélie Lescaut of the Edmundston Police Force, and various workers from l’Escale Madavic, including Sandie Devost, outreach worker and Chad St-Onge, social and community service worker. The co-hosts ensure that the purpose of the virtual experience is well understood by the participants and go back over each step, explaining the consequences of the choices demonstrated in the video sequences. Teens can then ask questions related to their own relationships, while learning that there are resources in their community to support them if needed.

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CONTACT: Edmundston Police Force, 506.739.2100