Advisory groups of children in research on gender-based violence.

Involving children in research is not only advisable but mandatory from both a child rights and an academic perspective. Indeed, recent research has shown that children's participation enriches knowledge and contributes to an in-depth understanding of complex issues, even in sensitive questions such as gender-based violence, leading to improved policy and practice interventions. This article analyses the participation of children both as experts and informants in a research project aimed at creating an early detection model of gender violence applicable in schools. The aims of the study are as follows: i) to analyse the participation strategies used in the research conducted with children in the field of gender-based violence from an ethical and methodological point of view, focusing on strengths and weaknesses, and to identify improvements to be implemented; ii) to collect the experiences of children in this regard. Six expert groups were created specifically for this research project in different locations around Catalonia (Spain). A total of 45 children aged 10-16 participated in all stages of the research, including instrument design (children's questionnaire), discussion of results, building outcomes (model) and dissemination activities (final conference). The questionnaire was answered by a representative sample of 3664 schoolchildren attending 106 schools in Catalonia. This article discusses methodological questions, analysing the benefits and obstacles encountered in working with children, including power relationships, children's voices, engagement, protection, recognitions of capacities and remuneration.

What do children say about seeking help in situations of gender-based violence? Different perspectives depending on whether they have experienced such situations or not.

BACKGROUND: As highlighted in recent studies, children could have a relevant role to play in seeking help in cases of gender-based violence at home, contributing to early detection and empowering them as rights holders and masters of their own lives. Notwithstanding, multiple obstacles to them doing so have been detected. OBJECTIVE: To find out expectations of help among children, seeking the differences between those who have experienced gender-based violence at home and those who have not, by gender and age. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 3664 schoolchildren from 8 to 18 years old (Meanage = 13.16, girls = 50.7 %, secondary school = 64.6 %, primary school = 35.4 %) in Catalonia (Spain). METHODS: Quantitative study. Children responded to an on-line questionnaire. Bivariate analysis and binary multiple logistic regression were used. RESULTS: Children would like to take an active role in seeking help, but were afraid of the consequences and did not know how, or who to ask. Older children and those who had experienced gender-based violence at home were less likely to ask for help (ß = -0.66, [-0.99 - -0.34], p < .001 and ß = -0.67, [-1.04 - -0.27], p < .001, respectively), and were less trusting of adults. CONCLUSIONS: In seeking help, children demand safe services, with clearly identifiable helpers available, able to protect them and their family. Training adults they can trust such as teachers is key. Educating children about what gender-based violence is and where they can seek help is also important.

Health promotion in secondary schools: participatory process for constructing a self-assessment tool.

This article presents the process of constructing an effective self-assessment tool for monitoring health promotion in secondary schools (SS). The ultimate aim is to improve adolescents' well-being and quality of life in their reference environment. The design and validation of the instrument were based on participatory action research (involving students, professors, parents, health professionals, youth workers, youth directors, youth managers). A mixed quantitative and qualitative approach was adopted. The construction process included the following five consecutive stages: (i) steering-group creation and definition of objectives; (ii) diagnosing students' health and well-being in SS (case study); (iii) initial design and construction of health promotion indicators; (iv) validation based on expert judgement and (v) validation by means of a pilot test. The final construction of the self-assessment tool included 5 areas (healthy habits, affectivity and socialization, emotional well-being, safety and risks, and specific health situations), 9 objectives and 18 indicators deployed through a rubric. Each indicator is discussed in depth, specifying the most appropriate resources and health promotion activities for its application. The final self-assessment tool is designed to be sensitive to and effective for self-assessment of health promotion in SS. It contributes to improving adolescent health on an individual basis and also has an impact on the school environment. Finally, it also promotes analysis of the health content on the curriculum and the teaching-learning method(s) employed at the school. The self-assessment tool has been published open access and its implementation will continue to increase health promotion in SS in Catalonia.

La evaluación de las políticas municipales de juventud a partir de un sistema de indicadores / Evaluation of municipal youth policies through an indicators system

En este artículo presentamos un sistema de indicadores (SIAPJove) para evaluar políticas municipales de juventud. El sistema ha sido creado y validado por un grupo de individuos expertos y se ha aplicado en tres municipios de Cataluña en el Estado Español, en forma de estudio de caso para comprobar su aplicabilidad y eficacia. El resultado es un instrumento con 12 ámbitos de evaluación, 32 objetivos de evaluación y 83 indicadores. Permite evaluar la situación de dichas políticas, hacer evidentes las tendencias y los cambios, valorar su nivel de eficacia y contribuir a establecer objetivos a corto y medio plazo. Asimismo, se puede utilizar como herramienta para la autoevaluación, para reflexionar sobre la propia acción y aprender de los errores y las dificultades en el desarrollo de las políticas municipales de juventud...

Juventud, políticas públicas y crisis en España: triángulo mágico o triángulo de las Bermudas? / Youth, public policies and crisis in Spain: magic triangle or Bermuda Triangle? / Juventude, políticas públicas e crise na Espanha: Triângulo mágico ou Triângulo das Bermudas?

En tiempos de crisis, las políticas de juventud están experimentando enormes recortes y transformaciones hasta el punto que hemos llegado a preguntarnos si realmente existen como políticas públicas con entidad propia. La situación en la que se encuentran muchos sujetos jóvenes en España les lleva a preguntarse dónde están las redes de protección tradicionales: la familia, las ONG’s o el Estado de Bienestar, cuando realmente se los necesita. Nuestro objetivo en este artículo es presentar y discutir la situación de las políticas de juventud en España en el contexto actual de austeridad y drásticos recortes sociales. Este análisis lo llevamos a cabo a partir de los parámetros del triángulo mágico que unen las políticas, la investigación y el trabajo social con jóvenes.

In times of crisis, the youth policies are experiencing enormous cutbacks and transformations to the point that we are wondering whether they really exist as public policies with their own entity. The situation in which many young people find themselves in Spain leads them to wonder where the traditional protection networks are: The family, the NGO’s or the Welfare State, when they are really needed. Our objective in this article is to show and discuss the situation of the youth policies in Spain in the present context of social austerity and drastic cutbacks. We carry out this analysis from the parameters of the magical triangle that unite policies, research and social work with young people.

Em tempos de crise, as políticas de juventude estão enfrentando enormes cortes e transformações ao ponto de nos perguntarmos se as políticas públicas existem realmente com entidade própria. A situação em que se encontram muitos jovens na Espanha faz que eles agora se perguntem onde estão as redes tradicionais de segurança: a família, as ONGs ou o estado do bemestar, quando você realmente precisa delas. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar e discutir a situação na Espanha, em relação às políticas públicas para a juventude no contexto atual de austeridade e de cortes drásticos de bem-estar. Analisamos a situação dos jovens e das politicas de juventude na Espanha, através dos parâmetros do triângulo mágico ligando política, pesquisa e trabalho social com jovens.