Power of Participation
We co-created a truly global, free online course introducing participatory approaches to childhood sexual violence research
The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is one of the largest global networks for advancing research on gender based violence and violence against children. In 2024, SVRI recognised a growing need to strengthen skills in participatory approaches to childhood sexual violence research—because meaningful, ethical engagement with young people in evidence generation is a powerful way to drive real change. A needs assessment confirmed what researchers and practitioners were asking for, highlighting a demand for practical training materials to guide participatory research with (not on) children and youth.
This is where Terre des Hommes Netherlands stepped in. Together with amazing partners from the Safer Young Lives Research Centre (University of Bedfordshire), the Connect Centre for International Research on Interpersonal Violence (University of Central Lancashire) and others, we co-created the free, self-paced online course now available in English and French versions. To ensure it was grounded in real-world expertise, a our team brought together a Content Advisory Group, including participatory researchers from low- and middle-income countries and people with lived experience of childhood sexual violence. With extensive input, we developed and fine-tuned the five-module course, which features insights and examples from researchers and projects in 18 countries, making it a truly global resource!
The Power of Participation course offers:
✨15 digestible key concept lectures
✨Real-life case studies
✨Perspectives from around the world, including children’s voices 🌍
✨Demonstrations of participatory research activities
✨Advice on trauma-informed and ethical participatory practice
✨Access to valuable resources and further reading links!
✨Available in English & French!
🔗To access the course click here.
🚀 The course was launched on 11 April 2025, during a webinar featuring members of the course development team, Dr Joan Njagi, Prof Helen Beckett, Dr Claire Cody, Assoc Prof Camille Warrington, Prof Silvie Bovarnick and Dr Jean Elphick. A recording is available here:
