Protection protocols

Key challenge Mitigation strategies
The researcher has a duty not only to respect confidentiality and privacy, but also to protect the child. Information may be discovered related to current or ongoing harms or concerns that require action to be taken.

Protection protocols and referral pathways (both discretionary and mandatory) must be planned in advance, with input from local service providers (e.g. statutory service providers, non-government organizations and organizations of people with disabilities). Referral pathways must be inclusive and accessible for children with disabilities (including provision of barrier-free environments, accessible communication and positive attitudes).

The terms of mandatory referrals in particular must be agreed prior to the research and consideration explicitly given to any legal requirements to report abuse.

Where possible, participants should be free to decide whether or not to follow referral pathways. Appropriate accommodations may be required to ensure that children with communication and intellectual difficulties have the opportunity to express themselves in their preferred way (including with visual support such as signing, symbols, pictures).

Researchers should be trained to understand:

  • local legal issues, regulations and guidelines on abuse

  • specific risk factors (including gender, and impairment type)

  • relevant roles and responsibilities in relation to identifying and acting on worrying evidence or safety concerns

  • the referral networks that exist in the context and how to contact them.

Gaps in referral pathways may result in the researcher knowing that a child needs assistance or support, but also that the child may be unable to access such help.

Gaps in formal services provision can be closed by partnering with local organizations of people with disabilities, community-based rehabilitation programmes or other local non-governmental organizations.

If referral services are non-existent or inaccessible, researchers will need to carefully evaluate the risks and consider whether proceeding with the evidence generation activity is ethical.

Disclosing information about abuse may increase the risk of abuse. The benefits and risks of undertaking the evidence generation activity must be carefully considered. It may be necessary to explain to children the requirement for the mandatory reporting of the disclosure of certain information, rather than provide blanket assurances of confidentiality.
Evidence generation activities may cause participants and/or parents/ caregivers distress. Researchers should be trained to manage distress arising from evidence generation processes and have knowledge of sources of supports and appropriate referral pathways.