Anonymity

Key challenge Mitigation strategies
Anonymity can be compromised due to an impairment, geographical location or another factor being recognizable because it is very specific, rare or well known. In some situations, children may ask to be identified.

The evidence generation protocol should be designed to ensure that no child is put at risk through identification. If necessary, some characteristics of participants can be changed to obscure their identity, as long as this does not distort the interpretation of the data.

Children with disabilities can be involved in creating pseudonyms for them- selves.

The risks and benefits of identification must be explained to the child and the parents/guardians. In some situations, real names may be used, with appro- priate caution.