“Insufficient staff support”, “inexperienced young women” in the majority among educational staff in closed childcare settings, “loss of expertise” while experienced educators have left the ship: an independent report reveals the shortcomings which have led to the Cité-des-Prairies sex scandal.
Posted at 10:11 a.m.
Updated at 10:27 a.m.
“Unprofessional and inappropriate practices take place in the units and are tolerated,” discovered the two authors of the report.
Let us remember that The Press revealed in October that no less than nine educators were suspended or dismissed for having committed acts of a sexual nature against young people housed at the Cité-des-Prairies rehabilitation center over the past two years. The center reports to the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CCSMTL).
The Montreal Youth Protection Department and the CCSMTL “recognize the seriousness of the elements raised and took concrete measures as the investigation progressed,” they assure in the summary report made public this Tuesday at the end of an investigation launched after the revelations of The Press.
The CIUSSS du Centre-Sud says it is “aware of the challenges raised by the consultants and takes their recommendations seriously”. Concrete actions are already underway “to ensure that we make the necessary changes and improvements,” assures the CIUSSS in the summary report.
This “serious situation” was revealed this fall, following the report of one of the young people, the director of youth protection, Assunta Gallo, said at the time.
The national director of youth protection, Catherine Lemay, was forced to resign following the disclosure of this information. Lesley Hill was appointed by Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant to replace her.
Minister Carmant, in interview with The Presspromised to react vigorously to this investigation report. He said he was concerned about the security issues raised in the report, the version given to the media was partially redacted on these delicate issues.
“We must change the way we do things at Cité-des-Prairies and in other closed sites that house young offenders,” he said. Several types of professionals should be hired to provide support to educators and managers of these rehabilitation centers, he believes. “Young offenders have changed. It is no longer the same portrait as 20 years ago. We have to adapt. »
More details will follow
