

Dance
Against
Violence
Dance Against Violence
About
In 2010, Montréal Danse implants the art for social action project Dance Against Violence, in collaboration with Agora de la Danse, La Dauphinelle and Amélie Dionne-Charest. This project offers movement workshops to women who are victims of violence, helping them reclaim their bodies. The workshops benefit a growing and increasingly diversified audience.
In 2014, Dance Against Violence and Montréal Danse merged in order to reach more women in need, and to ensure the ongoing development of projects.
The pandemic has unfortunately exacerbated the problems of domestic violence. Between 2020 and 2022, thanks to the work of Christine Charles, former coordinator of Dance Against Violence, and the dancer-facilitators, we held 189 workshops with 8 partners, totalling 723 participations at the workshops. And since the foundation of Dance Against Violence, we have held 605 workshops with 20 partners, totalling 3534 participation from women and children.
Objectives
Dance Against Violence is an artivist project rooted in feminist values.
Embodiment
Dance Against Violence aims to help participants reclaim their bodies by re-awakening the ability to make choices, using creativity to positively project themselves into the future and re-establishing the body as a zone of safety and comfort.
Community
Dance Against Violence aims to energize and/or harmonize family and sibling bonds, as well as develop a supportive community.
Art
Dance Against Violence also aims to raise the profile of contemporary dance, recognize dancers as artists and creators, encourage reflection on creative practices and intercultural exchange, and break down cultural isolation.
Partnerships
Collaboration with our partners and the creation of new partnerships are essential to the functioning of Dance Against Violence.
We are currently working with the shelters
- La Dauphinelle
- Centre d’apprentissage parallèle de Montréal
- Assistance aux femmes
We would also like to thank our valued partners who support the operation of Dance Against Violence:
- Cégep Édouard-Montpetit
- City of Montreal
- the Board of Directors of Montréal Danse
Team
The Dance Against Violence workshops are led by three experienced dancer-facilitators. In their work, they are mobilized by interpersonal relationships, the pleasure of dancing and by rootedness as a source of power
For more information about our workshops, please contact
Rachel Harris, Dancer-Facilitator and Coordinator of Dance Against Violence
dcv@montrealdanse.com
Kathy Casey, Artistic Director of Montréal Danse
artistique@montrealdanse.com
Resources
RQCALACS
Quebec Coalition of Sexual Assault Help Centers
Le Centre d’apprentissage parallèle (CAP)
Rebâtir
Legal consultation free of charge for victimes of sexual abuse and domestic violence
References
Colloque Se mobiliser par l’art: Comment les pratiques artistiques, muséologiques et éducatives appellent-elles à l’action?, UQÀM, 2021
Reading list on rape culture, produced by Librairie L’Euguélionne
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, Bessel Van der Kolk, 2014
CONTACT
Rachel Harris
Coordinator of Dance Against Violence
dcv@montrealdanse.com
Charlotte Calais
Development and Administration Director
administration@montrealdanse.com
SOCIAL NETWORKS
GALLERY