A Strategic Meeting for Prevention 

On December 9, 2025, the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime took part in TACMES Day 2025, organized by the Table de concertation contre l’exploitation sexuelle des mineurs (TACMES) at the Centre des mémoires montréalaises (MEM) in Montreal. This event brought together community organizations, practitioners, researchers, and institutional partners to strengthen intersectoral ties, promote knowledge sharing, and develop common tools for the prevention and intervention against the sexual exploitation of minors. 

Clear and Ambitious Objectives 

The day pursued several complementary objectives: 

• Share experiences and innovative practices among TACMES members; 
• Strengthen a common vision focused on the well-being, dignity, and rights of young people; 
• Support the development of collective tools by and for intervention sectors; 
• Deepen reflections on priority issues, including sexual and gender diversity and the realities of Indigenous communities. 

A Dynamic and Collaborative Format 

The morning session, facilitated by Dynamo, created a relational framework conducive to dialogue through activities of recognition, gratitude, and collective reflection on shared values. The afternoon, led by TACMES members, was dedicated to project presentations, group discussions, and the launch of new tools. 

ICPC’s Active Role 

ICPC’s participation reflects its commitment to actively contributing to TACMES’ collective work. Discussions identified several potential areas of collaboration: 

• Sharing best practices, including innovative prevention approaches; 
• Supporting the development and evaluation of joint projects; 
• Strengthening networking among stakeholders and cooperative work; 
• Integrating young people’s voices and ensuring their well-being in all initiatives. 

A Dynamic Driving Transformation 

TACMES Day 2025 reaffirmed TACMES’ central role as a safe, inclusive, and mobilizing space, capable of bringing stakeholders together around a common vision based on respect, dignity, and the well-being of young people. For ICPC, this participation was a strategic opportunity to strengthen ties with community and institutional sectors, enrich its reflections on violence prevention, and contribute to collaborative dynamics that foster lasting transformations.

On December 2, 2025, the RÉSAL-Réseau d’échange et de soutien aux actions locales (Local Action Exchange and Support Network) held its final capacity-building activity of the year, funded by Prévention Montréal (City of Montreal). This event, coordinated by the ICPC, was the second edition of a training initially offered last October. The session, held at the Centre St-Pierre in Montreal, focused on the theme “Youth and Police: Understanding and Reducing Cycles of Distrust” with the expertise of Mr. Victor Armony, Full Professor at UQAM and researcher at CRIDAQ.

A space for dialogue and reflection

Aimed at youth workers, educators, community workers, outreach workers, and professionals working on crime prevention issues, the session addressed persistent tensions between young people and the police. Some participants highlighted challenges related to resource availability and the adaptation of tools to the realities of youth. They expressed an urgent need for institutional and political support to better assist young people.

Key Findings That Stand Out

Discussions revealed several cross-cutting issues:

• Widespread Distrust: A single negative interaction with the police can undo months of relationship-building with youth. Participants emphasized that young people feel underrepresented and lack confidence in institutions, fueling a sense of exclusion. This lack of trust does not only affect youth; it also extends to professionals, who sometimes encounter difficulties in collaborating effectively between institutions. 

• Bias and Stereotypes: Certain institutional practices and incomplete data contribute to disproportionately targeting specific neighborhoods or communities. In practical terms, this means that youth from racialized or disadvantaged backgrounds are more closely monitored than others, reinforcing stereotypes and creating an atmosphere of suspicion. 

• Invisible Violence: These are not physical acts but include microaggressions (small gestures or comments that demean), ambiguous relationships between youth and institutions, and double victimization. For example, when a discrimination complaint is ignored or minimized, causing the victim to suffer a second injustice. Such situations undermine trust, particularly among racialized young women. 

• Lack of Adapted Tools: current systems do not always meet the realities of youth. Participants noted the absence of spaces where young people can express themselves, such as youth committees in certain boroughs. This gap limits their ability to voice needs and develop critical thinking. 

• Disconnect Between Police and Communities: Many officers lack a deep understanding of local dynamics, which widens social and cultural gaps. Participants emphasized the need for collaboration without hierarchy among stakeholders: police, schools, community organizations, and social workers working side by side.

• Fragmented Institutional Language: Misunderstandings around terms like “prevention” or “risk” complicate coordination. For example, what the police consider “prevention” may differ from how a community organization interprets it, leading to inconsistent interventions.

These findings show that distrust stems from a combination of individual, institutional, and structural factors. 

Moving Forward 

The training identified concrete steps: strengthen inter-institutional coordination, create spaces for youth participation, develop adapted tools, and train stakeholders to recognize their biases. Participants emphasized the need for “shared language” and a systemic understanding of relationships between institutions. 

ICPC’s Strong Commitment 

This session wraps up RÉSAL’s 2024–2025 training series, designed to equip local stakeholders with tools to tackle complex challenges around youth violence. For the ICPC, these initiatives are key to building local capacity and encouraging collaborative, community-driven solutions.