Tag: cyber-violence

Two exclusive RÉSAL trainings, coordinated by the ICPC

As part the capacity-building activities of the Montreal Network Réseau d’échange et de soutien aux actions locales (RÉSAL), of which the ICPC is a member and coordinator, two series of thematic training sessions were held online in winter 2024. One session focused on trauma-sensitive approaches for youth, on 23 February, and the other on cybersexuality and cyber violence, on 28 February.   

About thirty people participated in the two activities, including front-line workers, social development officers, and representatives of community organizations as well as institutions working with youth in the Greater Montreal area. The aim of the activities, which focused on violence committed and suffered by young people aged 12 to 25, was to equip participants to deal with the various problems encountered in their day-to-day work.    

Trauma-sensitive approaches for youth, led by Annie Grenier, criminologist and programme planning and research officer at CISSS Montérégie-Est, and Christiane Girard, specialist in clinical activities with young offenders at CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.

This first training session addressed the distinction between simple and complex trauma, highlighting the variety of traumatic events and their impact on different spheres of life, such as attachment, cognition, and emotion regulation. The training emphasized the importance of attentive listening and reception, rather than investigation, when working with young victims of trauma. 

Through specialized resources and the practical example of the film ReMoved, participants were encouraged to adopt a multidisciplinary and adaptive approach. Initiatives such as the LOTUS programme and the adoption of this approach in schools and at the Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel, illustrated its concrete application, aimed at improving support and reducing the risk of recidivism among young people faced with trauma. 

Protagonist of your pleasure: cybersexuality and cyber violence, led by Estelle Cazelais, sexologist, and director of education at Les 3 sex*

This second training session explored the complexity of sexuality in the digital age, focusing on awareness, information, and education around these issues and highlighting their importance in young people’s sexuality.   

Participants were led to adopt feminist intervention approaches that are intersectional, non-judgemental as well as intercultural, to better understand and support young people as they explore sexuality on the internet and social media. Examples of good practices, such as the use of platforms like Twitch to reach teenagers or the development of specific projects on sexting, illustrated how professionals can intervene effectively. 

The training shed light on the challenges raised by cybersexuality, such as sextortion and early exposure to pornography, while emphasizing the need for comprehensive sex education that prepares young people to navigate this complex digital environment. By addressing the legislative aspects and social impacts of cybersexuality, the training also aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to support young people in building healthy and respectful relationships in the digital age.

Thank you very much to our guest experts and all those who participated for the success of this fifth cycle of training activities, which we had the pleasure of coordinating.   

Press release: the ICPC launches its second report on violence committed and suffered by young people in Greater Montreal area

In response to growing concern among Montrealers about their sense of insecurity, the ICPC Urban Safety Laboratory is proud to announce the publication of its second report on violence committed and suffered by young people in the Greater Montreal area.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the various acts of violence involving young people in Montreal in recent years, highlighting key factors that have influenced these situations, including the COVID-19 pandemic, cyber-violence, and gun violence.

Read the press release: Press release

3rd RÉSAL colloquium: Nearly 100 participants discussed the prevention of cyber-violence

On Wednesday, February 15, about a hundred people participated of the Réseau d’échange et de soutien aux actions locales  (RÉSAL), of which the ICPC is a coordinating member. The colloquium, which took place at the Centre St-Pierre, in Montreal, focused on the prevention of cyber-violence. The day was filled with engaging meetings, discussions, workshops and “braindates”.

The event began with opening remarks from Roselyne Mavungu, Director General of the Centre for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence (CPRLV), who highlighted the critical need for organizations and institutions to collaborate and work together in preventing cyber-violence, particularly among young people. Pier Alexandre Lemaire, Urban Safety Advisor for the City of Montreal’s Diversity and Social Inclusion Department, followed with an overview of RÉSAL’s past activities, emphasizing the importance of networking and the value of face-to-face interactions after three years of primarily online engagement.

Khaoula El Kahlil, Research Advisor at the CPRLV, moderated the first panel of the day, on ”Crossed views on cyber-violence”, and featured experts from various fields. Detective Sergeant, Maya Alieh, of the Montreal Police Department (SPVM) gave a presentation on key considerations to keep in mind regarding cyber investigations and how to intervene when faced with incidents of cyber violence on social networks. Stéphane Villeneuve, professor and director of the program in digital integration in the school environment at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), presented research on cyberbullying in the school environment as well as a means to better understand and prevent these situations, i.e. a training program offered to Quebec teachers. Dominique Gagné and Dave Poitras, scientific advisors from the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ), concluded the panel with a presentation on findings and proposed solutions to prevent cyber-violence in relationships

After the first panel, both panelists and participants were divided into different groups to delve deeper into current issues and best practices for preventing cyber-violence. These discussions were organized by the event’s partner, Braindate, allowing participants to share their experiences and insights with each other.

The afternoon was divided into four workshops: The first workshop, facilitated by Jeanne Plisson, Community Support Coordinator, and Sarah Grenier, Community Support Advisor, at the CPRLV, addressed ”online hate speech”. In this workshop, participants learned about definitions of hate speech, the different possible forms that hate can take and the prevailing motives for it to occur. They also presented different tools used to prevent and respond to hate speech incidents, primarily in schools.

The second workshop offered, led by Akim Laniel-Lanani, co-founder of the Clinique de cyber-criminologie  at the School of Criminology at the Université de Montréal (UdeM), focused on “cyber-hygiene”. Akim presented an overview of the use of social networks by youth before discussing useful tools and resources available to promote healthy online habits.

UdeM criminology professor Isabelle Ouellet-Morin led a third workshop that  provided participants with an opportunity to learn more about the research that led to the creation of the “+Fort” mobile application. This app, a collaboration of several Quebec researchers created by the Axel Centre, aims to help youth and school professionals combat and overcome harassment and cyberstalking.

The fourth workshop of the day, “Getting Connected to Equality”, was led by Léna Gauthier-Paquette, support officer for the sexuality education program of L’Anonyme. The workshop focused on a project that aims to equip youth aged 12 to 25 to develop egalitarian, safe and consensual relationships by initiating a reflection on the sharing of real and virtual public space between genders. This activity allowed participants to understand the manifestations of stereotypes, power dynamics and sexism online through an overview based on the organization’s research. The day concluded with exchanges between participants and closing remarks from the CPRLV.

The proceedings are available in French and English.