Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District

Your Stay

  • 1 in 2 people who identify as female and 1 in 4 people who identify as male will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime
  • Sexual violence is never your fault
  • Most sexual assaults are committed by someone the survivor knows

Paths of Courage is a unique program that offers sustained, intensive support and healing opportunities in a safe, residential environment.

Talk to someone now.
Toll-free at 1-877-544-6424

If you require immediate help,
please call 911.

What We Do

The Paths of Courage program is comprised of 2 facilitators, a program assistant, support staff/volunteers and a diverse group of workshop facilitators. Together, we offer a weeklong Residential Healing Program for survivors of sexual violence.

Our program is offered specifically to survivors of sexual violence who are 16 years of age or older and who reside in the province of Ontario. We operate on a weeklong basis and run men’s programs and women’s programs separately.

What To Expect

Participants in the Paths of Courage Program will have time to relax and recharge built into the schedule, without the pressure and distractions of everyday life. For many, it may be the first time they will be free to focus on themselves, reach out to others with similar experiences, and develop the strength and momentum they need to heal.

Note:  Due to confidentiality concerns, the use of electronic devices such as cell phones, iPads, iPods, tablets, laptops, communication devices is not allowed.

A typical week with the Paths of Courage Program

Participants will experience an afternoon of introductions and familiarization with the facility and other participants.

During the first evening at the program, participants and staff will gather for an opening ceremony and welcome dinner. Each morning for the remainder of the program, participants will gather for group work after breakfast, then the rest of the day will include a combination of facilitator-led trust building activities, physical exercise, creative expression, and free time.

Each day will include a regularly scheduled breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and snacks will be available throughout the day to keep participants nourished.

The program includes:

  • Therapeutic interventions that reframe the impact of sexual abuse
  • Supportive sessions and trust-building exercises with peers and professionals
  • Participation in a safe and supportive group process
  • Transforming old beliefs and thought patterns
  • Learning new ways to emotionally connect and release in a safe group environment
  • Methods for healthy communication and positive reflection
  • Outdoor activities, nourishing food, fresh air and plenty of time to rest
  • Sacred Healing Fire
  • Creative expression through art, music and interaction with nature
  • Peace, quiet and soothing solitude in a tranquil environment

How Can I Help?

There are many ways to help through donating, volunteering, or by hosting a fundraising event. Learn more here on how you can help.

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Get Support

Access support here for individual counselling, support groups and our lending library.

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The Paths of Courage

The name 'Paths of Courage' refers to four paths of healing, developed out of the vision for a holistic approach to healing from sexual violence.

Path of Physical Well Being

Path of Physical Well Being

  • During the program week we will offer participants a variety of tools that they can use to experience connection with their physical self.

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    • Exercise — yoga, stretching, hiking, kayaking, snow-shoeing, challenge course, movement therapy.
    • Nutrition — plenty of nourishing food provided.
    • Relaxation — time to de-stress built into each day, plenty of time to rest in a quiet country atmosphere.
    • Connection — through physical activities, drumming, and community.

Path of Emotional Balance

Path of Emotional Balance

  • Our participants will get a chance to recognize, experience and embrace feelings and emotional states as true barometers for life experience. These are:

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    • Group process — using tools of role-playing, somatic body work, projection/reflection and boundaries.
    • Support — from peers, professionals and self.
    • Trust building — through various exercises designed to challenge individuals and build community and trust.

Path of Re-thinking

Path of Re-thinking

  • Often experiences of sexual abuse lend us distorted belief systems that diminish and influence our daily life. Cognitive re-structuring allows participants to look at the thoughts that drive their lives and re-negotiate those beliefs that negatively impact their sense of self.

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    We help to introduce you to:

    • Reframing — a process that ends or diminishes those nagging, negative thoughts.
    • Healthy communication — learning ways to assertively reinforce boundaries and resolve conflict
    • Positive reflection — being able to see self differently as reflected by peers and staff.

Path of Spiritual Connections

Path of Spiritual Connections

  • Through all the other paths of courage, survivors may be able to connect to their own spiritual understandings and their right to wholeness and happiness.

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    We do this through:

    • Connection to nature — outdoor activities, a beautiful tranquil environment.
    • Quiet and solitude — some time each day to journal and reflect
    • Creativity — through art and music making
    • Ceremony and rites of passage — honouring our time together and the sense of connection that a healing community inspires
    • Meditation — guided mediation to turn inward and encourage healing
    • Sacred Healing Fire — Facilitated by a local Indigenous Fire Keeper

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"If it was not for this program, I’m not sure where I would be today. They helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even though there are many bumps and roller coasters, we will overcome to get there."