Include all children – a discussion of improving self-report measures of violence for overlooked child populations

To protect children against violence, we need robust data from every child population. In spite of this, not all child populations are well represented in research. This hampers the usability of results to those left out, and necessitate a discussion of potential solutions. Data collection efforts are hampered by a lack of validated instruments for a number of populations, including but not limited to young children, children with disabilities, and children on the move, including refugees and immigrants. This results in the exclusion from research of many children who are disproportionately affected by violence, but unable to exercise their right to be heard on this matter. In this discussion article, we draw on the co-authors’ research experience and relevant literature to present issues specific to measurement of violence, and recommendations on how to get precise estimates in these underrepresented groups. These include puppet-based interviews for young children, alternative response formats such as validated sign language instruments for children with disabilities, and a range of violence measures which reflect the diverse violence experienced by children on the move. However, the literature also reveals an overall lack of validation and participatory approaches, affecting both research measuring violence against children, and development of instruments for this purpose. This article outlines recommendations and examples of best practice for including these children in research, and for the development and validation of instruments suitable for capturing their self-report of violence. It is our hope that this discussion article, and the potential solutions presented, can inspire further studies on violence on how to include all child populations in research.