The Assistance and Support Program enables anyone in the league to better manage the challenges they face, and to resolve the various issues that arise before they become more serious.
Support is available in person, by telephone or by e-mail, and is confidential.
To contact the program: 1-866-803-1969 or [email protected]
—
Second option: anyone can file a complaint or report an incident of abuse, harassment, neglect or physical, psychological or sexual violence to an INDEPENDENT COMPLAINT OFFICE, by clicking here or by calling 1-833-462-2647.
This is the route to take if the complainant wishes to remain completely anonymous, or if he/she feels his/her situation is more serious and requires an intervention that goes beyond the services offered by the QMJHL Assistance and Support Program.
—
The Assistance and Support Program, on the other hand, will refer the complainant to an external resource to:
Rise above a challenge, manage problems | Take care of oneself |
Team conflicts | Personal stress |
Academic and hockey performance | Depression |
Planning a career | Mourning and loss |
Violence | Anxiety |
Harassment | Anger management |
Balance: studies, hockey and personal life | Crisis |
Stress | Traumatizing events |
Understand nutrition | Manage interpersonal or family situations |
Weight gain and loss | Communication |
Energy reserves and stress resistance | Interpersonal or family conflict |
Nutrition and a busy agenda | Separation |
Clarify a legal issue | Relationship issues |
Summons, warrants and subpoenas | Parental role |
Confront addiction problems | Find adequate resources |
Doping | Psychologist |
Drugs | Social worker |
Smoking | Substance abuse professional |
Gambling | Career counselor |
Alcohol | Nutritionist |
Relapse prevention | Rehabilitation |
Action plan
The Assistance and Support Program’s action plan is there in order to optimize the education and assistance programs already offered to our players and staff.
The QMJHL is responsible for educating and sensitizing its players and members to the social issues they face today. Our goal and mission is to provide to everybody the tools they need to lead fulfilling lives.
The QMJHL’s action plan comprises two main pillars: prevention and intervention.
– Prevention
Our players, aged 16 to 20, are in the midst of a critical life transition. As a result, the circuit has implemented policies and programs over the years, which are available at the following links:
- Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Anti-Doping Policy
- Assistance and Support Program
- Code of Conduct
- Education Policy
- Harassment and Violence Prevention and Management Policy
- Integrity Policy
- Social Media Policy
– Intervention
The circuit is aware that poor judgment can exist, despite all the education and prevention programs in place. That’s why the QMJHL has set up even stronger structures to respond to incidents of aggression or violence that may occur.
Three avenues are available to alleged victims:
1- The QMJHL encourages alleged victims to file a complaint directly with the police and to take the necessary steps through the legal system. This is the priority route for victims in our society, and the circuit strongly encourages them to use this option.
2- Alleged victims can also turn to the Centre for Respect in Hockey platform.
This platform represents a complementary tool for alleged victims who, for reasons of their own, do not wish to file a complaint directly with the police.
As soon as the complaint is completed, it is forwarded to the Complaints Officer, who will study it and, if necessary, initiate an independent investigation process, which could eventually lead to a formal complaint to the police or appropriate disciplinary sanctions.
3- Finally, in the event that the alleged victim does not wish to file a complaint with the police or go through the preferred platform, the Assistance and Support Program respondent is the point of contact at the League. He or she will then contact various resources to ensure close follow-up of the case through the appropriate channels.
Again, here are the contacts: 1-866-803-1969 or [email protected]
Consultation committee
Since 2020, the QMJHL has set up a consultation committee to support and offer recommendations to league authorities. The committee’s main objective is to develop new tools and strategies for players and staff.
These tools include a series of integration videos, including segments on sexual misconduct prevention, as well as workshops on sexual violence and the notion of consent, plus additional webinars during the regular season. In addition to this training, players are required to sign a Code of Conduct.
The Commissioner’s Office also continues to work closely with various experts to improve the preventive measures offered by the circuit to its players and staff in order to encourage responsible behaviour.
In closing, awareness-raising has its benefits, but it also has its limits. This is the main reason why the QMJHL is working more on prevention to ensure that players adopt the appropriate behaviours. The key to success is to ensure that prevention takes place on an ongoing basis throughout the season.
The independent committee responsible for advising and assisting the Commissioner’s Office is made up of:
- François Bernier, retired police officer from the SPVM
- Lyne Chantal Boudreau, professor, and researcher in educational administration at the Université de Moncton and educational consultant, speaker with EL2ES Inc.
- François Boisvert, specialized educator, Syna-Psy Clinic
- Sophie Brassard, guidance counsellor and Head of student-athlete services at the Fondation ALÉO
- Sylvain Croteau, Executive Director of Sport Aide
- Simon Gagné, former QMJHL player and lawyer at LAVERY, DE BILLY, S.E.N.C.R.L.
- Sylvain Guimond, sports psychologist, speaker, and author of several books