T.E.A.R.™ Program

T.E.A.R.™ Program prevents in-person and online gender-based violence by equipping youth with tools and resources to make healthy relationship choices, identify the warning signs of abusive relationships and reach out for help.

There are 3 components to the program:

• T.E.A.R.™ Workshop
• T.E.A.R.™ Youth Leadership Program
• #TEARtalk Social Media Engagement Strategy

T.E.A.R.™ Workshop

T.E.A.R.™ workshops are delivered by trained youth leaders and adult facilitators in middle and secondary schools reaching over 10,000 youth annually.

Through the use of multimedia videos, interactive activities and engaging dialogue, T.E.A.R.™ workshops help youth learn about the healthy ingredients necessary for developing positive nurturing relationships. They also identify early warning signs of abusive relationships and where to get help.

T.E.A.R.™ workshops are accessible in English and French, and for the Deaf and hard of hearing, newcomers, Aboriginal communities and youth with mild intellectual disabilities.

T.E.A.R.™ Youth Leadership Program

This program builds on the basic learnings of the T.E.A.R.™ workshop and encourages youth (grades 9-12) to further understand gender based violence. Youth are trained to further develop and present T.E.A.R.™ workshops within their school and the broader community.

Learn how to become a T.E.A.R.™ Youth Volunteer >

#TEARtalk Social Media Engagement Strategy

#TEARtalk is a weekly social media chat that is completely youth inspired and driven. It provides a space for T.E.A.R.™ Youth Leaders to raise awareness about a variety of topics related to (un)healthy relationships, equity and gender-based violence.

Join the conversation on Instagram every Thursday at 7:00 pm EST at @VSToronto by following the hashtag #TEARtalk.

Watch the #TEARtalk Pledge video >

Healthy Relationships in a Digital World

This project provides principals and vice-principals with strategies in response to cyberbullying and cyberviolence in schools and social media.

T.E.A.R.™ in a Digital World Workshop

This interactive and engaging 60-90 minute workshop was established by youth for youth aged 12 to 18 living in the City of Toronto. It’s free for TDSB & TCDSB schools and can be delivered in-person or virtually.

Topics discussed include:

• Intimate partner violence
• Cyberviolence
• Dating rights, Consent
• Digital leadership
• Online safety tips
• Healthy relationships
• Warning signs
• Where and how to get help

Watch the T.E.A.R.™ in a Digital World video >

General Resources

• T.E.A.R.™ Pamphlet (English)
• Engagement Guide (English)
• Engagement Guide (French)
• T.E.A.R.™ Compressed Webinar (English)
• T.E.A.R.™ Compressed Webinar (French)

Video Resources to Support Cyberbullying Awareness and Prevention

Soulpepper Theatre and Victim Services Toronto, in partnership with CPLDO (CPCO), LEA (ADFO) and PAP (OPC), present two video products of their 2021-22 pilot project, Cyberbullying & Cyberviolence: Creating Safe Digital Spaces. These videos were created by five of Victim Services Toronto T.E.A.R.™ Youth Leaders. The films support school leaders and school communities in the prevention of cyberbullying and cyberviolence.

For more information about the T.E.A.R™ Program, contact us today.