BACKGROUND: A critical step in improving the response to and monitoring of online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) is the need to standardize the data that are collected, stored, and analyzed that effectively measure change in the frequency, nature and risk of OCSEA over time. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the content analysis was to investigate the metrics used by online content-sharing platforms in their efforts to combat OCSEA. METHODS: A content analysis was undertaken on 19 online content-sharing services' transparency reports on their metrics related to OCSEA. RESULTS: From the 19 transparency reports, 132 data points in relation to OCSEA were identified with 22 distinct metrics on OCSEA. Findings revealed a disparity of appropriate metrics and reporting mechanisms employed, particularly, there is a lack of standardized approaches to metrics reporting and an absence of time related measures. Furthermore, very few online content-sharing services disclosed metadata on the data reported and its capture methodology. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the critical need for standardized metrics reporting to enable comparability across services. Without such an evidence base, there are no objective measures to assess the progress and effectiveness in addressing OCSEA.
Online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) is a rising global problem affecting children and adolescents worldwide. Despite the escalating prevalence of OCSEA, there is limited research specifically focusing on children and adolescents with disabilities. To bridge this gap, this systematic review was conducted to identify the prevalence, nature and associated risk factors of OCSEA of children and adolescents with disabilities. Following the PRISMA Statement, this systematic review included scientific evidence from 12 academic databases and the gray literature published between 1993 and 2023. A total of 13 studies were extracted, and thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The findings of this systematic review reveal the characteristics such as the gender, age and type of disabilities of OCSEA victims. Perpetrators use diverse techniques, including online grooming, manipulation, and cyber-threats, resulting in consequences such as mental health issues and social isolation of victims. The associated risk factors include lack of parental monitoring, social isolation, and low risk perception. The results of this research provide crucial insights into OCSEA of children and adolescents with disabilities, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and further exploration in this understudied area.
Garazi Álvarez-Guerrero, Deborah Ann Fry, Mengyao Lu et al.
Résumé Ce chapitre poursuit une analyse de la jurisprudence du Comité CDE consacrée au trentième anniversaire de la Convention des Nations-Unies relative aux droits de l’enfant. La première partie, publiée dans la revue International Survey of Family Law en 2019, a abordé la jurisprudence du Comité CDE sur le concept de famille, la non-discrimination, l’égalité des parents, les droits parentaux, le mariage des enfants, la polygamie et les enfants nés d’une gestation pour autrui. La seconde partie traite de la jurisprudence la plus récente du Comité CDE relative aux droits de l’enfant ayant d’importantes implications pour le droit de la famille. Elle propose une analyse permettant d’identifier les progrès réalisés tant au niveau de la conceptualisation que de la pratique, tout en soulignant les défis potentiels restant à relever. Le texte se concentre donc sur les questions liées aux droits de l’enfant en cas de divorce ou de séparation des parents, au retrait de l’enfant de sa famille, à l’adoption, aux enfants apatrides et aux droits des enfants dans le contexte des migrations internationales, y compris relativement aux points de corrélation entre adoption et kafalah . INTRODUCTION This chapter continues a discussion of the jurisprudence of the CRC Committee dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Part 1, published in the 2019 International Survey of Family Law, addressed the jurisprudence of the CRC Committee on the concept of family, non-discrimination, parental equality, parental rights, child marriage, polygamy and children born through surrogacy arrangements. Part 2 situates the more recent jurisprudence of the CRC Committee respecting child rights issues with significant implications for family law, and offers an analysis identifying progress in both conceptualisation and practice, as well as highlighting the potential challenges that remain for further investigation and clarification. This chapter therefore focuses on the issues related to children's rights in case of parental divorce or separation, child removal from the family, adoption, childhood statelessness, and the rights of children in the context of international migration, including correlation between adoption and kafalah . In its analysis of the identified topics, it relies, apart from academic sources and other reports, to a significant extent on the jurisprudence of the Committee.
“We are safe here physically, everything is well, but we have stress all the time because every minute we have a dream that is being out of here with our families and friends” (Nowak, 2019, p105). These words of an adolescent boy, interviewed during the Global Study on Children Deprived of their Liberty, remind us that no matter how good the conditions of confinement might be, freedom remains the perpetual dream for every detained child. Manfred Nowak, who led the Global Study, equated children's deprivation of liberty with deprivation of childhood and he recommended that states ‘make all efforts to reduce the number of children held in places of detention and prevent deprivation of liberty before it occurs’ (Nowak, 2019, p 668). The Global Study accepts that in ‘rare’ cases, deprivation of liberty remains unavoidable, and if it is used, then it ‘should be in conditions and circumstances that ensure respect for the human rights of children’ (Nowak, 2019, p 257). This book by Ursula Kilkelly and Pat Bergin gives a detailed account of how Ireland has grappled with developing a child-rights-compliant approach to caring for children deprived of their liberty. The authors acknowledge that, until a few years ago, Ireland's detention practices fell short of good practice, with inadequate standards of care, high levels of restrictive practices and ineffective responses to children's complex needs. The book explains how Ireland has made important changes during the past five years to bring its youth justice detention practices in line with international human rights standards pertaining to children. The story of Oberstown Children Detention Campus is a narrative of transformation that provides insights into the relevance of a purpose-built facility. It demonstrates the vital importance of professionalizing the workforce, and reshaping the way that they work with children, which in turn has a significant impact on outcomes for children. Article 40(1)) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) requires that children in the youth justice system must be ‘treated in a manner consistent with the child's sense of dignity and worth’. This requirement is both profound and simple, but it is not always easy to achieve in practice, particularly in places of detention where imposed communal living in confined and impersonal spaces seems to pull in the very opposite direction.
Recent years have seen an upsurge in parent education programmes in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) that aim to help reduce violence against children. This article draws on a narrative review that examined the impact of 42 programmes working with parents of adolescents in LMICs. Here we focus on 17 initiatives that aimed to reduce neglect of, or physical, emotional or sexual violence against adolescents, or to reduce child marriage. Programmes aiming to prevent sexual violence or child marriage generally focused more strongly on understanding and challenging prevailing norms, while those oriented to preventing physical and emotional violence emphasised sharing information and practising new communication skills. We argue that key elements of programme design (group-based participatory sessions, formative research that enabled sensitive framing and adaptation of content) have strong potential to help shift norms that underpin violence against adolescents. To fulfil their potential to change norms underpinning violence against adolescents, programmes should expand their reach, with a particular focus on embedding initiatives within institutions that can take them to scale, promoting male engagement, and support participants to maintain changes over the long-term.
Pre-service education and in-service teacher professional development (collectively termed teacher professional development or TPD here) can play a pivotal role in raising teaching quality and, therefore, learning outcomes for children and young people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, TPD opportunities in LMICs are limited, unsustained, and often not informed by recent research evidence, and outcomes are mixed. Educational technologies offer potential to enhance formally provided programmes and informal peer-learning forms of TPD. We present the first systematic review of the literature pertaining to technology-mediated TPD for educators of school-aged learners in LMICs, aiming to characterise appropriate and effective uses of technology along with specific constraints operating in those contexts. An in-depth synthesis of 170 studies was undertaken, considering macro-, meso- and micro-level factors during TPD design and implementation in the 40 LMICs represented. Volume of publications increased dramatically over the review period (2008–2020), indicating that the field is rapidly developing. Results largely showed benefits for teachers, but evidence for sustainability, cost-effectiveness or tangible impacts on classroom practice and student outcomes was thin. Promising, locally-contextualised forms of technology-mediated TPD included virtual coaching, social messaging, blended learning, video-stimulated reflection, and use of subject-specific software/applications. We report on the variable effectiveness of programmes and limited attention to marginalised groups. To maximise effectiveness of technology-enhanced TPD, the role of facilitators or expert peers is paramount – yet often glossed over – and the interpersonal dimension of teacher learning must be maintained. Recommendations are made for researchers, policymakers, teachers and teacher educators.
Sara Hennessy, Sophia D’Angelo, Nora A. McIntyre et al.
Research suggests that adolescents in humanitarian settings are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges, but there is less attention to how mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in these settings considers climate-related factors. This article aims to bridge this gap by reviewing studies on the impact of MHPSS interventions in humanitarian settings for adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. Our findings indicate there is a lack of attention to climate change; none of the 25 studies identified mentioned climate change or considered it in the intervention design. Given the urgency of the climate crisis, it is vital that MHPSS interventions for adolescents in humanitarian settings are adapted to respond to climate change-related factors. We also found that the data from such studies are rarely disaggregated by sex or disability. This is vital in order to deepen our understanding of the intersectional impacts of MHPSS on adolescents.
Maestral recently worked with UNICEF Bulgaria, in close cooperation with the Government of Bulgaria, to conduct a national study on children with offending behaviour and in conflict with the law, providing an updated evidence base to inform reform of Bulgaria’s child justice system. The study examined the nature and extent of child offending—including children below the age of criminal responsibility—through desk review, field research across five appellate judicial districts, and consultations with over 300 stakeholders and children. It assessed the legal and institutional framework, reviewed services, and gathered insights from children and caregivers to better understand the drivers of offending behaviour and gaps in support systems. Across Europe, child justice systems are increasingly being called to move beyond punitive approaches and align with child rights standards. Bulgaria presents a particularly important case: while child offending is declining, the system continues to rely on outdated legal concepts, fragmented institutional arrangements, and responses that do not adequately address root causes. The study highlights a critical paradox. While the number of children formally convicted has declined, many children, including those below the age of criminal responsibility, are still subject to administrative “educational measures.” These measures include placement in correctional institutions that restrict liberty. In parallel, children with behavioural difficulties are also placed in residential services within the child protection system as a protection measure. Together, these pathways blur the line between protection and punishment and often operate in silos. A central message is that children’s contact with the justice system rarely reflects deliberate criminal intent. Rather, it stems from cumulative disadvantage—including poverty, family instability, educational exclusion, discrimination, exposure to violence, and unmet psychosocial needs. This points to the need for earlier, coordinated prevention and support. In this sense, child offending is fundamentally a child protection issue—not simply a justice issue. Despite this, responses remain largely reactive, prioritising supervision and control over prevention and rehabilitation. Outdated provisions, particularly those related to “antisocial behaviour”, allow punitive responses to non-criminal acts such as truancy or running away, further entrenching vulnerability. At the same time, there are strong signs of readiness for reform. Professionals across sectors recognise current limitations and show openness to alternatives such as diversion, restorative justice, and early intervention. Civil society organisations already demonstrate effective approaches, including family-based support, trauma-informed care, and community-level services. The study identifies three priority areas for reform: aligning the legal framework with international standards; shifting from institutional to community-based responses; and strengthening coordination, data systems, and efforts to address inequality, particularly for marginalized children. Together, these findings point to a clear direction: building a child justice system that protects rights, prioritizes rehabilitation, and addresses underlying vulnerabilities. This work was delivered by Maestral’s team of consultants, including Viktoria Perschler, Manfred Nowak, Manu Krishan, Maria Yanakieva, and Zhaklina Georgieva Andonova.
by Anna Jolly & Olha Boyko (Maestral International), in partnership with the Coordination Centre for Family Upbringing and Child Care Development Ukraine is turning its commitment to global care reform into concrete national action. On 30th June 2026, the government of Ukraine formally submitted Ukraine’s national commitments under the Global Charter on Children’s Care Reform, following a three-month process supported by Maestral International’s Anna Jolly and Olha Boyko in collaboration with the Coordination Centre for Family Upbringing and Child Care Development (Coordination Centre). The commitments were shaped through a structured, multi-stakeholder process. Maestral reviewed Ukraine’s existing national strategic frameworks and worked with the national stakeholders to identify eight potential commitments. An online stakeholder consultation, held in early June with the support of the Coordination Centre, brought together central executive bodies , in particular the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, National Social Service of Ukraine, and the State Service for Children) as well as civil society organisations to review and prioritise the proposed commitments. Participants identified their priority areas, and the highest-priority options were further refined and finalised before formal submission. Importantly, the process connected the Global Charter with reforms already underway in Ukraine. Proposed commitments were carefully mapped against Ukraine’s National Strategy (2024–2028) and ongoing EU Child Guarantee processes, helping to ensure that the Global Charter complemented rather than duplicated existing national efforts. The final Ukrainian commitments for the Global Charter are the following: Establish a comprehensive, standardized system for enhancing the professional competence and qualifications of the social sector workforce. Develop and implement models of the social service of temporary respite care for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities. Consolidate and expand emergency foster care based on lessons learned. Implement the state social service standard of social support for family-based alternative care, and ensure monitoring of its quality and impact. The commitments reflect coordinated engagement across government, civil society, and technical partners, while remaining firmly grounded in Ukraine’s existing frameworks and reform priorities. The stakeholders involved in the consultations described the process as well organized, collaborative and efficient and noted that the resulting commitments accurately reflect national priorities and provide a strong foundation for implementation. Maestral congratulates the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, and all national stakeholders on this important milestone as Ukraine moves from commitment to implementation.
The UK Biobank project is a prospective cohort study with deep genetic and phenotypic data collected on approximately 500,000 individuals from across the United Kingdom, aged between 40 and 69 at recruitment. The open resource is unique in its size and scope. A rich variety of phenotypic and health-related information is available on each participant, including biological measurements, lifestyle indicators, biomarkers in blood and urine, and imaging of the body and brain. Follow-up information is provided by linking health and medical records. Genome-wide genotype data have been collected on all participants, providing many opportunities for the discovery of new genetic associations and the genetic bases of complex traits. Here we describe the centralized analysis of the genetic data, including genotype quality, properties of population structure and relatedness of the genetic data, and efficient phasing and genotype imputation that increases the number of testable variants to around 96 million. Classical allelic variation at 11 human leukocyte antigen genes was imputed, resulting in the recovery of signals with known associations between human leukocyte antigen alleles and many diseases.
Clare Bycroft, Colin Freeman, Desislava Petkova et al.
