Canadian Women's Foundation
The Canadian Women's Foundation created the Signal for Help, a silent one-handed gesture launched in April 2020 to allow anyone in a situation of distress to ask for help without saying a word.
Since its creation, the signal has been shared in over 50 countries, translated into 20 languages, adopted by more than 200 organizations, and has literally saved lives — including a teenager in North Carolina who used the gesture through a car window to alert a passerby.
S.O.U.L. Montréal adapts this signal to the underground nightlife context — where the music drowns everything, where light is scarce, where the body won't respond. A free mini-course is available to learn how to recognize the signal, respond safely, and share it with your community.
Order an Angelot
Order an Angelot is a concrete, research-based, and free safety protocol that allows anyone feeling unsafe in a bar, club, or event to order an "Angelot" at the counter. This discreet code word immediately triggers intervention from a trained team, without judgment and in complete confidentiality.
The protocol rests on four pillars: a discreet code word ("Angelot"), training for all public-facing staff (bar, reception, management, volunteers), visible signage in strategic areas (restrooms, bar, entrances), and continuous support including follow-up and referral to specialized resources (GRIP, Montréal 24).
Accreditation is 100% free. Adopted by several Montreal establishments including the MUTEK festival, this simple and effective protocol embodies the S.O.U.L. vision: the party can be both free and safe — as long as we commit to making it so.
GRIP — Groupe de recherche et d'intervention psychosociale
GRIP is a Montreal-based community organization specializing in harm reduction. Present on the ground at festivals and events, it offers substance analysis services, training for responders, and awareness around responsible substance use.
A key partner of the S.O.U.L. project, GRIP helps train nightlife actors and build a culture of care where safety and freedom coexist. Their expertise in psychosocial intervention is an essential resource for any organizer committed to the well-being of their participants.
OCTOV
OCTOV is a Montreal-based underground events collective recognized for its commitment to safe spaces. Their "House Rules" charter establishes a clear framework for respectful behavior — a model of community governance that directly inspires the S.O.U.L. movement.
At the heart of their approach: the Safe Squad, a team of trained volunteers dedicated to active vigilance who circulate through all spaces to ensure a reassuring presence. These volunteers are trained to observe, intervene, and respond — a human, embodied security in service of kindness.
Concrete results: fewer incidents, increased feeling of safety, a more serene and respectful atmosphere. OCTOV's approach demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile freedom, intensity, and responsibility. A space can be both underground and caring — as long as we commit to making it so. Several techno collectives are already following this path, inspired by OCTOV.
Salon Daomé
Salon Daomé generously hosted the workshop-conference of October 17, 2024, giving voices from Montreal's underground community a chance to be heard in an authentic and caring environment.
An iconic venue of Montreal's nightlife scene, the Daomé embodies the spirit of creative gathering and artistic freedom that lies at the heart of the S.O.U.L. project. It was within its walls that 25 people co-built the foundations of the Underground Ethics Charter.