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METRAC is a community-based, not-for-profit organization based in Toronto, Ontario (Canada) that works to prevent and eliminate violence against diverse women and youth. We are committed to the right of women and youth to live free of violence and the threat of violence.
Our work is informed by anti-oppression principles and we recognize that women and youth experience violence in different ways depending on factors such as their ethno-racial backgrounds, income levels, sexualities, gender identities, abilities and ages. We believe that violence prevention measures must address the distinctive experiences of diverse individuals and communities.
METRAC uses an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach. We work in partnership with individuals, community groups, organizations and services, governments, institutions, educators, urban planners and health and legal professionals.
METRAC is a registered charity.
About METRAC sheet: PDF (176 KB)
METRAC’s beginnings date back to the summer of 1982 when a number of brutal sexual assaults and murders of women occurred in the City of Toronto. A group of women organized themselves as “The Toronto Pink Ribbon Committee” to demand that something be done. The committee approached the Metro Toronto Chair in office at the time, Paul Godfrey. Acting on their suggestions in collaboration with the Metropolitan Toronto Board of Commissioners of Police, a task force to examine public violence against women and children was established. The task force worked with Metro Toronto staff and council members, more than 80 individual community volunteers, local experts and community and service agencies. A Final Report of their efforts was released in March 1984. It recommended the Metropolitan Toronto Council appoint a body to implement all of the report’s recommendations. The “Metropolitan Action Committee on Public Violence Against Women and Children” was then established. A ten-member Board of Directors was appointed, headed by Toronto lawyer and then-Police Commissioner Jane Pepino.
Below is a list of some of METRAC's past and present community partners.
- Centre ontarien de prévention des agressions
- Community Safety Secretariat, City of Toronto
- Frontline Partners with Youth
- Girls Action Foundation
- Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada
- Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres
- Springtide Resources
- Take Action Games
- Toronto Community Housing
- White Ribbon Campaign
- Woman Abuse Council of Toronto
Building on our success in delivering more than 25 years of exemplary violence prevention services, in March 2011, METRAC's Board of Directors approved a new strategic plan for 2011 to 2014.
Our vision
A world where inequity and oppression are actively challenged and dismantled in interpersonal relationships, communities and systems so that women and youth live free of violence and the threat of violence.
Our purpose
We advance justice, safety and equity for women and youth through collaborative, innovative public outreach and awareness raising, education and information dissemination, safety audits, community-based research, policy development and law reform. METRAC's work is grounded in the recognition that marginalized communities have differential experiences and require unique responses in relation to violence.
Our values
- Equity
- Respect
- Safety
- Excellence
- Innovation
- Feminisms
- Collaboration
Strategic directions
- Embed anti-racism/anti-oppression principles into the organization’s systems and structures
- Strengthen the organization
- Expand the use of technology for greater reach and efficiency
- Re-brand and restructure the organization
Stratgic plan summary, 2011-2014: PDF (92 KB)
Annual reports
| 2011 Annual Report | PDF (807 KB) |
| 2010 Annual Report | PDF (722 KB) |
| 2009 Annual Report | PDF (254 KB) |
| 2008 Annual Report | PDF (199 KB) |
| 2007 Annual Report | PDF (297 KB) |
| 2006 Annual Report | PDF (441 KB) |
| 2005 Annual Report | PDF (846 KB) |
| 2004 Annual Report | PDF (970 KB) |
| 2003 Annual Report | PDF (1.59 MB) |
Newsletters
| 2012 Fall Newsletter: The Power of Volunteers | PDF (1.2 MB) |
| 2012 Spring Newsletter: Empowerment for Women and Youth | PDF (998 KB) |
| 2011 Fall Newsletter: Integrating Art into Violence Prevention | PDF (670 KB) |
| 2011 Spring Newsletter: ReAct: 10 Years of Youth Preventing Violence | PDF (540 KB) |
| 2010 Fall Newsletter: Taking Action on Community Safety | PDF (444 KB) |
| 2010 Spring Newsletter: Do Justice | PDF (184 KB) |
| 2009 Fall Newsletter: Challenging Violence Through Technology | PDF (192 KB) |
| 2009 Spring Newsletter: Engaging Boys and Men to Help Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls | PDF (201 KB) |
| 2008 Fall Newsletter: To the Soul: Faith and Spiritual Communities Addressing Violence Against Women | PDF (425 KB) |
| 2008 Spring Newsletter: Where We're At: School Safety and Young Women | PDF (361 KB) |
| 2007 Fall Newsletter: Youth Violence and Gender on the Agenda | PDF (455 KB) |
| 2007 Spring Newsletter: Trafficking of Women and Girls | PDF (355 KB) |
| 2006 Fall Newsletter: Focus on Sexual Violence | PDF (759 KB) |
| 2006 Spring Newsletter: Connecting Poverty and Violence | PDF (1.02 MB) |
| 2005 Fall Newsletter: Powers That Be: Linking Authority and Violence | PDF (983 KB) |
| 2005 Spring Newsletter: Envisioning a Safer Society for All | PDF (4.55 MB) |
| 2004 Fall Newsletter: Celebrating 20 Years of Community | PDF (2.06 MB) |
| 2002 Summer Newsletter | PDF (397 KB) |
The Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children
Phone 416-392-3135 | Fax 416-392-3136 | info@metrac.org
Charitable Registration Number 1300 69123 RR0001
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