Perceptions of Children's Protection and Participation Rights
Ashling Bourke
Dublin City University
Ashling Bourke, BA, MA, PhD, is a Psychology Lecturer at the Institute of Education, Dublin City University. Ashling’s research interests span the broad areas of developmental and forensic psychology. She has a particular interest in children's rights, family relationships, and sexual offending. Ashling completed a Masters in Forensic Psychology from UCC and a PhD in Psychology from TCD, with a specific focus on social cognition in sex offenders. Since then she has broadened her research interests to the role of education as a protective factor in sexuality and sexual victimisation. She has worked for a time in child protection and substance misuse services.
Abstract
Objectives: Every child has the right to be protected from abuse and neglect and to have their voice heard in matters that affect them; broadly set out in the UNCRC as Protection and Participation Rights. However, rights only... [ view full abstract ]
Objectives: Every child has the right to be protected from abuse and neglect and to have their voice heard in matters that affect them; broadly set out in the UNCRC as Protection and Participation Rights. However, rights only serve their purpose in as far as they are recognised as rights by those who exercise or fulfil them (Peterson-Badali, Ruck & Ridley, 2003). Studies examining the views of adults towards children’s rights suggest attitudes towards children’s rights are not uniform and the type of right under consideration (e.g., protection or participation) is an important variable to consider (Helwig, 1995, 1997; Wrightsman, Rogers & Percy, 1975). For example, protection is often not viewed as being a children’s rights issue (Ruck, Abramovitch & Keating, 1998). In this context, the perception of children’s rights held by adults can play a significant role in how society upholds these rights and actions taken when such rights are violated. The current study investigates endorsement of children’s rights to Protection and Participation for younger children and adolescents.
Methods: Questionnaires are used to examine adults’ endorsement of children’s rights. Differences between the endorsement of Participation rights and Protection rights for younger children and adolescent are investigated. The relationship between the endorsement of these rights and the likelihood of reporting abuse of a child are also examined
Results and Conclusions: Results will be discussed in relation to society’s perceptions of the fundamental rights set out in the UNCRC for all individuals under 18 years of age, specifically the right of the child to be protected from abuse and neglect and for the child to have their voice heard.
Authors
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Ashling Bourke
(Dublin City University)
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Catherine Maunsell
(Dublin City University)
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Sonia Morris
(Dublin City University)
Topic Area
Voice of the Child
Session
Oral 20 » Session 2- Voice of the Child (14:15 - Tuesday, 3rd October, Africa Room)
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