OUR MISSION
La Maison d’Ariane helps abused women and children regain power over their lives and advocates to end domestic violence.
We are committed to updating our services so that they can also support sexual and cultural diversity as well as women with reduced mobility. Note that all our services are confidential and free. No legal procedure (civil, criminal, immigration, etc.) is required to access our services.
OUR VALUES
Our values are central to all that we do, they anchor our decisions, actions, and in particular, our services.
We strive to share these values with the women and children we work with, as well as with each other.
- RESPECT : Be considerate of oneself, others and the environment, both in our actions and with our words.
- SOLIDARITY : Act as a team. We are all stronger when we work together. In solidarity we can regain our collective power.
- FREEDOM : Act, feel, and think how we choose, free from the power of others.
- EQUALITY : All men and women are equal and have the same rights and obligations.
- AUTHENTICITY : What we say and do aligns with what we know, what we think and how we feel.
OUR PHILOSOPHY: THE FEMINIST APPROACH
All of our actions, services, assessments and management methods are inspired by the feminist approach.
The feminist approach to domestic violence is grounded in a set of principles that guide our daily actions. We consider domestic violence to be a social problem – not an individual one – that is a direct result of the historical power imbalance between men and women in relationships.
Our core work is to support women to share their experiences, report the violence they have suffered and speak out. Our interventions, in addition to being based on feminist principles, are designed to be non-judgmental, empathetic and to result in the establishment of egalitarian relationships. The staff supporting the women and children at La Maison d’Ariane do not see themselves as “professionals” but rather as activists helping other women.
The ultimate principle of the feminist approach, and the basis of everything we do, is that: « Women and children can regain power over their lives through solidarity with other women, equality and advocacy for their rights. ».
To do this, we hold to our 3 « specific » principles :
- Women and children are not responsible for the violence they suffer.
- Women have the right to autonomy, respect, and freedom.
- Women have the potential and skills to lead their lives and make decisions that are in their best interest.
Women are the experts of their own lives! That said, it is reassuring to feel supported and not alone.
Every small personal change can lead to major societal changes!