This peer-reviewed article in Child Abuse Review by Dr Mark Kavenagh and Dr Kati Maternowska analyses data from large-scale population surveys in 20 global South countries to understand why young people disclose child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA), or more importatnly, why they don’t. For example, only 1-10% of children in countries like Haiti, Honduras, and Uganda received services after disclosing sexual violence. That doesn’t provide great motivation to speak about such a sensitive and difficult topic. Read the paper here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/car.2887
Report: Safe Online Grantee Forum for Southeast Asia and Pacific
Evident provided note-taking support during this one-day forum in Bangkok where representatives from 21 projects addressing online child sexual exploitation and abuse met to share results, regional trends, challenges and successes. Following the event, we developed a summary report that consolidated the discussions against four themes, and focused on identifying points of agreement and divergence in project results, naming emerging trends, and steering future priorities and actions. Learn more here: https://safeonline.global/a-day-of-learning-networking-and-problem-solving/
Paper: Child Sexual Abuse/Exploitation and LGBTQI+ Children: Context, Links, Vulnerabilities, Gaps, Challenges and Priorities
This peer-reviewed article in the brand new Child Protection and Practice journal was co-authored by Dr Mark Capaldi from Mahidol University and Evident’s Jennifer Schatz and Dr Mark Kavenagh. The article explores the intricate issue of child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSEA) among LGBTQI+ children. Research reveals that LGBTQI+ status is associated with increased risks for CSEA, with these young individuals facing unique challenges such as homelessness, poly-victimization, and barriers to accessing vital protections. Yet it is crucial to understand that being LGBTQI+ is not the cause of increased vulnerability to CSEA. Instead, societal discrimination, stigma, and oppression linked to LGBTQI+ status elevate the risks of victimization. Our research highlights the need for targeted interventions and support to address these […]
Paper: Reliance on Informal and Gig Economies Leaves LGBTQ+ Populations with Fewer Economic Choices and Greater Vulnerability to Trafficking
The new peer-reviewed article co-authored by Evident’s Dr Mark Kavenagh together with Mackenzie Stoeltje and Dr Meredith Dank from New York University’s Marron Institute sheds some light on the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ populations in informal and gig economies. The article sets out the rationale and conceptual framework of a four million dollar counter-trafficking project funded by the US State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons that Evident is currently engaged in. The article proposes a harm-minimization model for counter-trafficking programming that focuses on diversifying livelihood choices, fostering psychological safety, and addressing stigma and discrimination to reduce trafficking risks. Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1080/23322705.2024.2310349
Videos & Briefs: Global Insights into the Sexual Exploitation of Boys
In 2023 we saw our Special Issue of the International Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect published. The Special Issue is titled ‘Global Insights into the Sexual Exploitation of Boys’ and features ground-breaking research from around the world. Together with the authors of these articles, we created six concise videos and six research-to-action practice briefs for frontline workers. These resources are designed to facilitate engagement with the findings, even for those with limited time. The concise videos, ranging from 2 to 5 minutes, provide insightful glimpses into the research findings. The complementary briefs are available here: A global systematic scoping review of literature on the sexual exploitation of boys Video Practice Brief Enhancing a survivor-centred approach to healthcare provision in […]
Landscape analysis for World Vision’s programming on Migration & Child well-being
Evident completed a rapid review of both recent World Vision programming and the broader evidence and practice landscape regarding safe migration and child wellbeing in Southeast and East Asia. We conducted a series of one-on-one and group consultations and undertook an iterative presentation/feedback process with the World Vision team that then led us to use this data to identify potential barriers and enablers for the organisation as they undertake new programming design and resource mobilisation.
Are We Remembering the Boys?
Dr. Mark Kavenagh, recently made an appearance on the ‘One in Ten’ podcast by the National Children’s Alliance. In this compelling episode titled “Are We Remembering the Boys?”, he sheds light on a vital, yet often overlooked aspect of the discourse surrounding sexual exploitation – the experiences of boys. While there is no denying the fact that girls across the globe are disproportionately vulnerable to both sexual abuse and exploitation, Mark emphasized the reality that sexual violence does not discriminate by gender. Boys, too, are victims, but they often face unique stigmas and burdens that can hinder their path to healing. Listen to the full episode here.
Web Safe and Wise Campaign Support
Over five months of coaching and support, the team at Evident supported programming staff, together with communications staff from seven ChildFund country offices in South and Southeast Asia. Together, we identified and crafted seven narratives that showcased country office’s existing and new programmatic work regarding online safety. Based on these narratives, the team drafted a range of comms products that the country offices could use to articulate these narratives via public and media engagements, advocacy work with government, and other activities within the organisations broader global Web Safe and Wise campaign.
Special Issue of Child Abuse & Neglect: Global Insights on the Sexual Exploitation of Boys
This Special Issue of Child Abuse and Neglect includes six new empirical papers that shed new light on the sexual exploitation of boys. Research on the sexual exploitation of boys that predominantly represents lower- and middle-income countries is showcased. The issue begins with a global systematic scoping literature review that identified 81 publications from 38 countries on the topic. The papers include two on which Mark Kavenagh was a co-author. You can access the issue here. Thanks to the generous support of Oak Foundation, all papers in the issue are open access.
Paper: Barriers for boys in accessing supports for sexual exploitation
Mark Kavenagh co-authored this peer-reviewed paper together with Nicholas Hua and Christine Wekerle from McMaster University in Canada. The paper provides a gender norms analysis of the data presented in the ten country reports published as part of ECPAT International’s ground-breaking Global Boys Initiative. The paper synthesizes analysis of legal frameworks with findings from a survey of front line social support workers to name themes, challenges and present solutions You can download the full paper here.