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Putting risk into perspective: lessons for children and youth services from a participatory advocacy project with survivors of sexual violence in Albania, Moldova and Serbia

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

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Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 5 - Gender Equality
    SDG 5 Gender Equality
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Abstract

While engaging survivors of sexual violence in participatory advocacy may not be new to adult services, it is less common among children and youth services that commonly prioritise “protection” over “participation”. This paper draws on monitoring and evaluation data collected from a youth advocacy project with fifteen survivors of sexual violence in Albania, Moldova and Serbia. Secondary analysis, adopting a trauma-informed lens, was undertaken on data generated through shared learning events with project partners, focus groups with project staff and workshops with the young women involved. We argue that the identified gains for participants resonate with key elements of trauma-informed responses to sexual violence, namely establishing safety and trust, empowerment, and critical reflection. Although based on work with young women, our findings are relevant to children and youth services interested in engaging survivors in advocacy. Despite the significant ethical and practical challenges, we argue that it is important to put risk into perspective and not lose sight of the potential protective benefits of participatory work for participants.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Article number

106003

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 1-11

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Children and Youth Services Review (Volume 126, Issue July)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 21/03/2021
  • Published - 26/03/2021

Publication status

Published - 26/03/2021

ISSN

0190-7409

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/624907
  • Scopus: 85103971396

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