Peer-reviewed article

Children’s Voices Matter: Key Takeaways and Recommendations From Including Young Children in Violence Against Children Research

Hannabeth Franchino-Olsen, Pamela Maluleke, Nicola Joan Christofides, Franziska Meinck, Nataly Woollett · 17 Jan 2026

Abstract

Young children should be included in research that investigates their life experiences, as this honors their rights to inclusion and allows their voices to be heard. This paper summarizes key themes, takeaways, and recommendations gathered from a multi-year research study regarding how to include young children in violence against children research, where feedback on the scope, methods, and consequences was sought from child participants and study staff. Children (age 4–17 years) in South Africa were included as the youngest participant group in a multi-generational study that also included their parents and grandparents, though data here focus on children aged 4–10. Rigorous policies and safeguards were employed to prioritize the ethical inclusion of child participants. Following completion of a child-friendly questionnaire, qualitative data were collected from a sample of participating children, as well as study staff (fieldworkers; social worker), wherein they reported their views on including young children in violence research. Following thematic coding of this qualitative data, the study management team engaged in multiple reflection sessions to discuss the fieldwork challenges, solutions, best practice takeaways, training implications, and beyond with regards to conducting VAC research with young children. Key themes and takeaways included: the feasibility of young children’s participation and how they understood and responded to participation, the interviewer qualities that allowed for meaningful participation from young children, the role of play, arts, and fun in the interview space, and post-participation considerations and actions. The takeaways and recommendations pointed to how young children can be safely included in violence-focused interviews and research, while noting that careful attention must be paid to how they are invited to and engaged in the research, as well as the attentiveness and sensitivity of the interviewers and research team.