Participatory Research on Child Maltreatment with Children and Adult Survivors: Concepts, Ethics, and Methods

Childhood should be free of violence, and victims of childhood maltreatment should be entitled to participate as expert informants in research about these experiences. This book presents a mosaic of contexts, theories, and methods relating to children's and adult survivors' participation in research about their adverse experiences. It highlights the advantages of participation as a human right and a valued endeavour of scientific knowledge accumulation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2023
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Childhood is a time of innocence and growth, and it is essential to ensure that it remains free from violence. Unfortunately, many children experience maltreatment, which can have long-lasting effects on their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. It is crucial that victims of childhood maltreatment have the opportunity to participate as expert informants in research about their experiences. By placing children and adult survivors at the heart of research efforts, we can better understand the causes and consequences of child maltreatment and develop effective response and prevention measures.

Embedded in the European context, Participatory Research on Child Maltreatment with Children and Adult Survivors presents a comprehensive exploration of the diverse contexts, theories, and methods related to children's and adult survivors' participation in research about their adverse experiences. Contributors showcase how research can empower children and adult survivors to become agents of change, constructing and disseminating reliable, evidence-based knowledge about child maltreatment. This contribution to Emerald Studies in Child Centred Practice adds valuable insights to ongoing debates about ethical concerns and challenges in participatory research in the field of child maltreatment.

One of the key advantages of participatory research is that it recognizes the rights of children and adult survivors to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives. It values their voices and perspectives, ensuring that their experiences are heard and taken into account. By engaging in research, children and adult survivors can gain a sense of control over their narratives, share their stories, and contribute to the development of knowledge that can help others.

Moreover, participatory research can have a profound impact on communities of researchers and helping professionals. It fosters collaboration, promotes mutual understanding, and creates opportunities for knowledge exchange and learning. By working together, researchers and practitioners can develop more effective interventions and strategies to support children and adult survivors of child maltreatment.

The authors of this book are members of a designated working group of the pan-European network on Multisectoral Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe (Euro-CAN), supported by the European Cooperation on Science Technology (COST Action 19106). This working group is dedicated to promoting children's and child abuse survivors' participation in research on violence. Through their collective expertise and experience, the authors have contributed to the development of this comprehensive book, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of involving children and adult survivors in research on child maltreatment.

In conclusion, childhood should be a time of joy and safety, and victims of childhood maltreatment should have the opportunity to participate as expert informants in research about their experiences. By placing children and adult survivors at the heart of research efforts, we can better understand the causes and consequences of child maltreatment, develop effective response and prevention measures, and empower children and adult survivors to become agents of change. Participatory research is a valuable approach that recognizes the rights and voices of children and adult survivors, promotes collaboration, and contributes to the accumulation of scientific knowledge that can benefit communities.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804555293