The MONTREAL ASSAULT PREVENTION CENTRE (MAPC) is a unique organization, born out of the merger, in the summer of 1988, of two community organizations that offered assault prevention programs for children and women in Montreal. These two organizations, CAP / ESPACE and ACTION, shared the same analysis of aggression which argues that three factors increase the vulnerability to abuse of certain groups: lack of information, dependence, and isolation.

The CAP program was introduced to Montreal from the United States in 1984 by Lisa Weintraub, a self-defense instructor for women, who was already offering the Wen-Do course. While remaining the main MAPC program for children, the Centre has developed additional resources for parents and children; Confidence, Solidarity and Respect for 5th and 6th grade students, a workshop for parents on positive discipline and a workshop on preventing assault for people with an intellectual disability. These programs were initiated based on needs recognized in the community.

The Action workshop was designed by Lisa Weintraub and Leona Heillig from certain techniques of Wen DO combined with the philosophy of CAP / ESPACE. ACTION has evolved over the years based on an intersectional and anti-oppressive approach. This has allowed us to improve our workshops based on the diversity of experiences and differences of all women as well as the different power dynamics at play in the variety of situations we might face.