Background

SVRI undertook a structured consultative process with partners to consider how best to strengthen our contributions to ending violence against children (VAC) and child sexual abuse (CSA), and to align this work with our broader strategy.

A review of SVRI’s past and current programmes showed a substantial history of supporting VAC and CSA research and practice. Building on this, we sought to better understand needs, opportunities, challenges, and priorities in the VAC and CSA fields to ensure our future work is responsive, strategic, and grounded in the realities of those working in low- and middle-income contexts.

Purpose of the Consultations

The consultations were designed to gather insights from a wide range of stakeholders – internally (SVRI staff, Board, and Leadership Council members) and externally (SVRI network members and practitioners, researchers, and advocates working on VAC, VAW, and VAW–VAC intersections). The aim was to shape SVRI’s future VAC and CSA strategy, deepen understanding of the politics and tensions between the VAC and VAW fields, and identify research gaps and priorities.

Objectives

The process sought to:

• Gather stakeholder input on SVRI’s strategy for strengthening VAC and CSA work.
• Explore the political and practical dynamics of bringing the VAC and VAW fields into closer dialogue and collaboration.
• Collect data on emerging questions, gaps, and priorities for research and practice.

These objectives guided a series of online engagements and data-gathering exercises.

Consultative Processes

Consultations were carried out between June and September 2021 through three main modalities: online facilitated dialogues, moderated discussion boards, and an online questionnaire. All activities were designed to encourage inclusive participation, safe discussion spaces, and access in multiple languages wherever possible.

I. Online Facilitated Dialogues

Three external live dialogue events were hosted, bringing together stakeholders from the VAC/CSA, VAC–VAW intersections, and VAW fields. Each dialogue focused on one of two core themes. After a brief introduction, participants joined breakout groups of 6–8 people, each guided by a facilitator and a set of theme-specific questions. Moderated discussion boards were also explored as an additional way to broaden participation.

II. Moderated Discussion Boards

Running in parallel with the dialogues, the discussion boards offered open access to all interested stakeholders. New themes were introduced every three weeks, supported by prompts and guiding questions. Boards aimed to be available in at least three languages. Links were distributed via the SVRI Update and social media.

III. Online Questionnaire

Following the early dialogues and discussion board exchanges, an online questionnaire was developed using SurveyMonkey. It included both open-ended and multiple-choice questions, allowing a broader group of stakeholders to contribute perspectives on key themes. Distribution was via the SVRI Update and social media channels.

Consolidation

At the end of the consultation period, all data was synthesised to inform SVRI’s position statement, strategy, and theory of change for our expanded VAC and CSA portfolio. The insights gathered through these processes now underpin our current and future work in this area, ensuring that SVRI’s contributions strengthen the evidence base, support practitioners and researchers, and advance efforts to prevent VAC and CSA globally.