TERMS OF REFERENCE
FOR AN EXPERT OR A GROUP OF EXPERTS TO CONDUCT
A RESEARCH ON CHILDREN SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE CIRCLE OF TRUST
Program:
Terre des hommes Albania
Project:
United against Child Trafficking,
Implemented by Terre des hommes, financed by USAID
Study Type:
Research Study of child sexual abuse in the circle of trust in Albania
Application Date:
14- 28 May 2015
Background information
Terre des hommes in Albania will conduct a research on child sexual abuse in the circle of trust, in
partnership with the State Agency for the Protection of Children’s Rights with the aim to build evidence
that would inform the laws, policies and practice related to the phenomenon and enhance the national
preventive and specialized reactive services related to children sexual abuse building on the existing
child protection system.
This research will be conducted in the framework of the project “United against child trafficking”
implemented by Terre des hommes and funded by USAID. The final aim of this project is to
consolidate the capacity of existing structures and institutions responsible for identification,
management and referrals of children at risk and victims of trafficking.
As available data shows that the majority of sexual abuse against children in Council of Europe countries
is “committed within the family framework, by persons close to the child or by those in the child’s social
environment”. Sexual abuse in the circle of trust (engaging in sexual activities with a child where abuse
is made of a recognized position of trust, authority or influence over the child, including within the
family) even though is predominant is very difficult to be identified, analyzed and then build specialized
interventions and capacities to address it.
Studies show that the problem is often hidden and that reporting from institutions is rare. Almost in all
the country there is a lack of specialized programs with sustainable financial resources, with trained staff
as part of an effective and efficient mechanism of intervention1.
1National
report on the situation of child rights in Albania 2013-2014, State Agency for the Protection of Children’s Rights
Purpose and objectives of the research
Purpose:
Conducting an action oriented research on sexual abuse of children in the circle of trust, focused on the
characteristics of the phenomena and the social norms influencing it, with the aim of building preventive
and specialized reactive services, practices and capacities in the child protection system in Albania.
Objectives:
a. To identify the characteristics of child sexual abuse in the circle of trust in Albania
b. To identify the social norms influencing sexual abuse of children and the reaction to it in all parts of
the echo-system of the child, including professionals working with them
c. To identify the response of the system related to the sexual abuse of children in the circle of trust in
the existing practice
Activities
1- Detailed research protocol and methodology including the main ethical considerations and
preparation of tool for data gathering
- Will be prepared in parallel to the desk review process and informed by the main conclusions of the
existing data
- Consult with TDH, The State Agency for the protection of children’s rights and other key stakeholders
on the protocol. Also plan their involvement in the research
- Considers gaps in data and methodology used in previous studies
- Addresses in the methodology the different understanding children, parents, professionals have on
child sexual abuse concept
- The protocol should consider disaggregation of data based on different areas where children live ex
village vs. city, gender and other relevant desegregation
* The methodology for data gathering is preferred if includes case studies to track the systems response,
focus groups discussion conducted by children themselves to identify social norms and behaviors etc
Mid of June
2- Summarize and analyze existing data on children sexual abuse
A general policy research and analysis, focusing on regulations on the protection of children victims of
sexual abuse in Albania,
The existing data showing the current situation based on previous researches, grey data (data from
official sources CPUs, police, judicial system etc existing written reports).
End of June
3- Data gathering based on the research protocol
Identify the characteristics of child sexual abuse in Albania in the circle of trust-- (the various aspects
and manifestations of the phenomena, vulnerable groups, type of sexual abuse, social context in which
the crime was committed, data on the characteristics of the family or family context, characteristics of
the offense ex duration, frequency etc, origin of reporting, social demographic of children and of the
offender, victims relationship with the offender)
Identify the social norms influencing sexual abuse of children (permitting, hiding or justifying children
sexual abuse) and the reaction to it, in all parts of the echo-system of the child, including professionals
working with them. Crosscutting focus on the social norms behind the behaviors of parents, community,
professionals, persons in the circle of trust and children themselves, including those who have had an
experience related to sexual abuse of children.
The response of the child protection system: Their understanding and knowledge, including existing
services and measures for children sexual abuse- what services are identifying and referring such cases.
How all the stakeholder and duty bearers in the system interact with each other in cases of child sexual
abuse? Identify patterns, risks, system’s difficulties
*Professionals should be from all sectors of the child protection system and an assessment of the
knowledge, skills and competences of the workforce to address such issues to than help developing the
training program for them appropriately.
Mid July
4- Data analyses, conclusions and recommendations
Will build recommendations on specialized preventive and reactive services and practice on how the
system and professionals response is and should be in correlation to the characteristics of the sexual
abuse in the circle of trust and the social norms.
This conclusions and recommendations on the practice will be guided by the frame of the Lanzarote
Convention on sexual abuse in the circle of trust.
Mid of July
5- Final report of the research
Final product for publication
Mid of August
6- Sharing findings of the research with main stakeholders
Sharing preliminary conclusions and share for feedback with key project stakeholders, State Agency for
the protection of children’s rights, Tdh staff and others
Workshop for sharing findings with professionals (child sexual abuse resource group)
TBD
Application
Terre des hommes Mission in Albania is seeking to contract an expert or a group of experts on sexual
abuse that displays the ethical and technical capacities to conduct research on child sexual abuse in
Albania.
Required/preferred experience and skills of the researcher/s:
- Theoretical and practical expertise on children sexually abused, especially in the circle of trust.
- Demonstrated experience in developing tools and conducting research.
- Knowledge on social norms research
- Knowledge on child Rights, child protection concepts and services.
- Expertise in adult learning methodologies
- Ability to be creative, open and take instruction;
- Ability to work under time constraints;
- Very Good planning and time management skills;
- Good communication and writing skills in English.
Application documents:
The interested applicants should submit the below requested documents to the human resources
department at the e-mail: info@tdhalbania.org including an expected cost for the service:
- CV and a letter of interest highlighting relevant experience and knowledge to this research
- Draft an action plan for the research, specifying the full detailed methodology of the research and its
timeframe
- Similar related publications/tools that the applicant has developed
Both national and international consultants are invited to apply.
All persons who work with Tdh are obliged to respect the Child Protection Policy and Procedures
attached to this TOR.
The deadline for submitting the application is, 28 of May 2015