The 2nd edition of the ICPC Summer School, taking place on August 26–27, 2025, in Montreal, will focus on the erosion of trust in key institutions. The event will bring together experts, institutional representatives, community actors, and researchers to reflect collectively on the causes of this mistrust and to identify possible avenues for action.
Training on Migratory Trauma and Youth Mental Health: A RÉSAL Initiative Coordinated by the ICPC
Funded by the City of Montreal’s Prévention Montréal program, this training session which was held twice (on May 28 and June 19 2025), was attended by almost forty people, focused on the influence of migratory trauma on the mental health of youth. It was led by Garine Papazian-Zohrabian, Professor in the Département de psychopédagogie et d’andragogie at the Université de Montréal and Scientific Director of the interdisciplinary research team on refugee and asylum-seeking families, Équipe de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les familles réfugiées et demandeuses d’asile (FRQSC).
The training enabled participants to gain a better understanding of:
- The distinction between migration status and life journey;
- The impact of violence experienced before and after migration, as well as administrative barriers;
- Conditions that foster resilient support (psychosocial support, safe environments, the role of mentors).
The discussions highlighted the urgent need for an integrated approach that combines psychosocial support, an appropriate legal framework, and actions promoting inclusion.
The ICPC extends its sincere thanks to Garine Papazian-Zohrabian and all participants for the depth of their contributions and reflections.
A second edition of a training session by the RÉSAL, coordinated by the ICPC
As part of the process of developing the capacity-building activities of the Montreal Network Réseau d’échange et de soutien aux actions locales (RÉSAL), of which the ICPC is a coordinator, a second edition of the training session on trauma-sensitive approaches for youth was held on May 30, 2024, following the success of the first edition, which took place in winter 2024. This event marked the start of a new series of 2024-2025 training sessions funded by the City of Montreal’s Prévention Montréal program.
Hosted by Annie Grenier, criminologist and program planning and research officer at CISSS Montérégie-Est, and by Christiane Girard, specialist in clinical activities with young offenders at CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, this training session brought together field workers, social development officers and representatives of community organizations and institutions working with youth in the Greater Montreal area.

Annie Grenier (CISSS Montérégie-Est)
This training session addressed the distinction between simple and complex trauma, highlighting the variety of traumatic events and their impact on different paths of life, such as attachment, cognition, and emotion regulation. It also emphasized the importance of attentive listening and reception, rather than investigation when working with young victims of trauma. Practical case studies were also presented.

Christiane Girard (CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal)
Thank you very much to our guest experts and all those who participated in the many exchanges that contributed to the success of the event!
The ICPC participated in the 2024 Conference of the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence
The ICPC was pleased to take part in the 2024 Conference on Countering Radicalization to Violence, the theme of which was ‘Local Responses to Global Pressures’. This event, organized from Monday, May 27, to Friday, May 31, 2024, in Montreal, was an exceptional opportunity for us to reinforce our network and collaborate with international experts in the field.

Speech by the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety Canada
Organized by the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence, the author of Canada’s National Strategy to Counter Radicalization Leading to Violence, the event brought together nearly 400 participants from 15 countries working in the fields of health and the prevention of radicalization and extremism at both national and international level, for a series of conferences and networking sessions.

This week of enriching exchanges marked an important opportunity to improve our initiatives to prevent radicalization and violence. We look forward to engaging in further work with new collaborators to strengthen our capabilities and continue to develop effective strategies and solutions to counter these phenomena, inspired by the good practices that have been shared.
The ICPC took part in the 2nd Forensia conference on domestic violence
The ICPC was honored to participate in the 2nd Forensia conference on “Domestic Violence: Exploring the Intersections between Research and Practice”, held on February 16, 2024, at the Centre Mont-Royal in Montreal.
Thia conference highlighted an important objective in Forensia’s ongoing efforts to help combat domestic violence. It followed a series of significant research initiatives and projects in this field, aimed at providing new knowledge and broadening intervention perspectives to address the needs of the various stakeholders involved. The event brought together various audiences, including criminologists, social workers, specialized educators, doctors, nurses, researchers, students, decision-makers and community organizations.
The conferences covered a wide range of topics, such as the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people, Indigenous realities, the consequences of sexual violence, and the paths of perpetrators of domestic violence. One of the key themes was the importance of effective integrated violence intervention programs and practices, offering specific support to women, and the crucial importance of collaboration between research and practitioners. Programs such as “Étincelle” (for 15-17-year-olds) and “Constellation” (for 17-24-year-olds college students) were particularly highlighted.
The ICPC’s participation in this event strengthened its focus on promoting safer, more inclusive communities.
Thank you for the invitation!
The ICPC in the media: crime prevention strategies in Montreal
In 2023, according to Montreal police, 33 homicides were recorded in Montreal, down from 41 in 2022. In the context of this significant decrease, Michelle Côté, the research director at ICPC, highlights the progress made in the fight against urban violence in the Metropolis, emphasizing the crucial importance of collaboration between the police and community organizations to effectively prevent violence.
For more information, we invite you to read the article “Homicides drop in Montreal, but police and critics disagree as to why” on CBC Montreal (published January 22, 2024).
Improving Metro Safety; the ICPC’s Strategic Approach with the STM
The ICPC was mandated by the Montreal Transit Corporation (Société de transport de Montréal, STM) for a pilot initiative of “exploratory walks” aimed at combating the sense of insecurity among users in the city’s metro network.
In 2023, the ICPC supported the STM project team in developing a structured methodology to guide these exploratory walks. Moreover, the ICPC played a role in guiding the participants during the walks, focusing on key observation aspects and documentation. This ensured systematic data collection and interpretation of results to understand security issues and propose concrete strategies and solutions for enhancing security in the Montreal Metro.
Job Offer: Analyst and Project Officer, Community Safety
The ICPC is looking for an Analyst and Project Officer, specializing in Community Safety. This key position involves managing community security projects, supervising teams, as well as designing and implementing consultation and citizen participation projects. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in these areas, a background in urban studies, sociology, or a related field, and skills in data analysis and interpretation. Bilingualism in French and English is essential, with a preference for candidates who also speak Spanish.
This position offers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic international organization with attractive working conditions and a stimulating environment.
Interested candidates are invited to send their resume and cover letter by February 5, 2024.
For more information and to apply, please contact Kassa Bourne, Director of Administration and Finance, at kbourne@cipc-icpc.org.
To see the full job offer: Analyst and Project Officer – Community Safety
The ICPC attended the 2nd Montreal Forum on Combating Armed Violence
We were pleased to be invited, on October 25 and 26, to the second edition of the Montreal Forum on Combating Armed Violence, organized by the City of Montreal and the Montreal Police Service (SPVM).
This Forum was an opportunity for nearly 150 participants, including many representatives from institutions and community organizations working in the field of health, safety and school sectors, to assess the state of armed violence in Montreal, with a focus on joint commitments and concrete prevention initiatives in the public environment, as well as in city neighbourhoods and schools.
The event addressed a range of issues, including the public health approach aimed at protecting the health of individuals who are victims of violence, the fight against all forms of online violence, the dangers of cyberspace and more.
Also, in order to promote the Montreal model for a safe city implemented in February 2022 by the city and the SPVM, which includes the active participation of youth, the Forum provided a platform for the dissemination of projects “By and for young people” from a number of Montreal associations and organizations, which provided insights into solutions to combat armed violence.
Thank you to the City of Montreal for the invitation!
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

