QUEBEC / 2020-2023

Improving experiences through effective child participation (REPERE)

In 2017 the IBCR completed a study looking into the treatment of children in contact with the justice system in Quebec, Canada. The researchers noted a number of dysfunctions, which sometimes led to child rights violations. This prompted the IBCR to launch an initiative in 2020 to develop child rights training for Quebec justice professionals. The training will enable participants to gain deeper knowledge of the issue and learn how to safeguard these rights in the course of their professional practice, so that, ultimately, they will be able to offer a positive and child-friendly experience to minors in contact with the province's judicial system.

The Project

Design an online, interactive training course broken down into five modules. The course is called "Improving experiences through effective child participation" (or REPERE, based on the French acronym) and it will be completed in the fall of 2022.

This initiative is financed by the Fonds d'aide aux victimes d'actes criminels (FAVAC—part of Quebec’s Department of Justice), the Government of Canada’s Department of Justice and Fondation Chamandy

WHAT'S THE GOAL?

Strengthen participants' child rights competencies and promote collaboration and synergy between the various components of Quebec's judicial system.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Law enforcement officers, justice personnel (lawyers and members of the bench), social services workers personnel and professionals working for the Youth Protection Directorate who interact with child victims or witnesses of crime.

A user-friendly and interactive programme was selected to host the course materials

Several videos were filmed to make the training more dynamic and illustrate key concepts

The project partners wrote and approved all 5 modules: Introduction; Child participation and best interests; Adapting practices to children's needs; Listening effectively and ensuring children are heard; Adapting to children's diverse needs

The training was tested in real conditions by more than 50 people from different sectors (including law enforcement, Aboriginal police, social work, psycho-education, defence lawyers and child protection services) from across the province.

Four meetings were organised in different cities across Quebec to discuss the participation of children in contact with the judicial system.

9 children participated in the project, sharing their experiences, offering insights, and reviewing the course content and key messages to make sure they are on point. These children represented the users' committees of the Youth Protection Directorate (a project partner).

By ensuring that child rights are upheld in all interactions and by making the child's experience our key concern, we can truly make a difference.

- Cathy Launay-Alcala, Director of Operations and Programmes, International Bureau for Children’s Rights (IBCR)