On the 11th of May, over 80 people gathered at the initiative of the IBCR to discover the recommendations made by young people of the “Parole aux jeunes” project to better prevent sexual exploitation. Some forty young people aged 14 to 17 took the floor to present their recommendations so that the prevention and awareness tools aimed at them are more effective and more reflective of their reality. Essential recommendations, impactful projects, and a call to action: listen to what young people have to say. Find out how these committed teenagers have made their voices heard.
The event, held at the Phi Centre in Montreal, marked the culmination of the two-year project “Parole aux jeunes – Mieux prévenir et agir contre l’exploitation sexuelle”. The project has enabled more than 70 teenagers from the Greater Montreal area to learn, equip themselves and ask questions about ways to better engage their peers about the risks of online sexual abuse and exploitation and related issues, in particular consent and healthy relationships.
Their commitment and efforts led to the formulation of recommendations aimed at policymakers and stakeholders concerned with the well-being of children in the province. Representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Safety, the Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), municipalities and community organisations were on hand to listen carefully.
The speeches of the coordinators of the Les Survivantes program praised the project and its youth-led approach, underlining the importance of giving young people a platform to express themselves and actively contribute to the prevention of sexual exploitation, a crime that particularly affects them.
REIMAGINING PREVENTION OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION THROUGH THEIR EYES
The five youth groups formed during the Voices of Youth project then outlined their recommendations in the form of creative projects. Reflecting their understanding of the issues and their desire to make a real difference in the fight against sexual exploitation, the aim of these projects was to promote their message, both in substance and form.
Interactive questionnaires, a mosaic, videos, and a podcast all served to demonstrate the importance of listening to what young people have to say and of taking their perspectives into account when making decisions that affect them.
The presentations paved the way for a dynamic dialogue, fostering sincere exchanges between the adults and young people present. Participants were also invited to share their thoughts on the concrete ways in which they can integrate and involve young people more in their daily lives. The aim is to inspire everyone present to work more closely with the younger generation.
Read Le Devoir’s article (in french) on the event and the Parole aux jeunes project!
DISCOVER THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY YOUNG PEOPLE
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE “PAROLES AUX JEUNES” PROJECT
A documentary retracing the “Parole aux jeunes” project and its unique process centred on the province’s teenagers will be released in autumn 2023. It will offer a privileged look at the work carried out by young people as part of the project, their thoughts and perceptions, and will highlight the importance of including them in the discussions on the issues that concern them. Stay tuned!
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The Parole aux jeunes! project was implemented in partnership with :
This project is made possible by the financial support of the City of Montreal and the Quebec Ministry of Justice.
Proud partner of the City of Montreal’s Children’s Policy.
