Consent for Research on Violence against Children: Dilemmas and Contradictions

Consent for Research on Violence against Children: Dilemmas and Contradictions
Concept Paper
Paula Cristina Martins, Ana Isabel Sani
Societies, 5 February 2020
Open Access
Abstract
The increasing visibility of violence involving children has led to a recognition of the need to research its underlying dynamics. As a result, we now have a better understanding of the complexities involved in this kind of research, associated with children’s developmental characteristics and social status, exposure to violence, and compromised parenting of caregivers. This paper discusses the issues raised by parental consent in research on violence against children, specifically the dilemma of children’s rights to participation and protection, and proposes changes in research practice in this domain.