Ethics in research with children isn’t about forms and signatures — it’s a journey that builds trust and respects voice.

By Helen Veitch

Too often, research with children in high-risk situations is treated as a tick-box exercise. But real ethics means revisiting consent, listening to young people as potential researchers, and balancing confidentiality with recognition — especially for those affected by sexual violence.

At Children Unite, our first global learning discussion (with members from 10 countries) confirmed that ethics is not a one-off approval but an ongoing practice. It requires time for trust-building, supervision, and co-creation with young people — costs that must be recognised as essential, not optional.

We’re now co-producing guiding principles for ethics boards with London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London and developing ethics support for NGOs where no boards exist. But we can’t do this alone. We need to work together to put children’s voices, safety, and leadership at the heart of research.

Key Takeaways

1. Consent is ongoing — not a one-off parental signature, but a child-centred process that ensures real understanding.

2. Confidentiality vs. recognition — young people want privacy but also acknowledgement, creating tensions that require sensitive solutions.

3. IRB limitations — existing models often overlook social risks and lack contextual nuance.

Next Steps

• Co-develop child-centred ethics guidance with LSHTM.

• Offer consultative support for NGOs without review boards.

• Advocate for supervision, debriefing, and trust-building as core ethical costs.