Research Involving Children and Adolescents in Situations of Violence: Ethical Aspects to be Considered

Around the world, an alarming number of children and adolescents experience violence daily. In childhood, traumatic stress experienced early in response to violence can impair brain architecture, immune status, metabolic systems, inflammatory responses, and even genetic structure. Damages resulting from violence are related to major causes of death in adulthood, including non-communicable diseases, HIV, mental and reproductive health problems, and even suicide. Researches that directly involve victims are considered essential tools for the correct dimensioning of the problem and for the planning of actions aimed at facing violence against children and adolescents. It is fundamental to consider the ethical aspects in the design and development of such research conducted in physically, socially and emotionally vulnerable populations.