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On 9–12 September 2026, Maria Roth from Babeș-Bolyai University, Romania, presented research related to SERENA at the European Mental Health Conference in Prague. The presentation, entitled “Voices of people with lived experience of child maltreatment (PLECM)”, draws on qualitative data collected through the EURO-CAN project and reanalyses these findings according to the objectives of the SERENA project. SERENA research presented at the conference The topic of research with PLECM is highly sensitive (Roth, Alfandari, Crous, 2023). Their credibility and objectivity is often doubted, being suspected of possible exaggeration and subjectivity (Danese A, Widom C., 2024). On the other hand they are difficult to reach, due to data protection and institutional paternalistic approaches, which are meant to protect victims’ identity. On the other hand, representatives of organizations of PLECM and international treaties the UN declaration of the Basic Rights of Victims (1985), The Istambul Convention (2017) and The Lanzarote Convention of Europe on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation & Sexual Abuse (2018) underscore the importance of listening to survivors of violence, and validate their experience through the lenses of scientific research. The analyzed data were collected in two focus groups conducted in Romania, and in a multinational online survey involving 139 respondents from Romania, Türkiye, Hungary, Italy, Israel and North Macedonia. The questions focused on participants’ experiences with child protection services and societal responses to childhood victimisation, as well as the expectations from research. The findings highlight how survivors often felt powerless and misunderstood by professionals, and the possibility that this attitude can be transposed to researchers. Therefore, focus group participants discussed their needs to feel validated and respected by researchers. A key theme emerging from the testimonies was the way participants understood the terms “victim” and “survivor.” While some participants preferred the term survivor, associating it with inner strength and pride, others described victimhood and survivorhood as experiences that can alternate throughout different stages of life, depending on the healing process and individual circumstances. In the focus groups, PLECM concluded that if they participate in research, they need to feel protected, knowing that support is there if they feel retraumatiyed, but also need to have the freedom to share their experiences, be included in planning the research. The testimonies also highlighted the importance of support and empathy in interactions with professionals. Participants discussed difficulties in disclosing experiences of childhood maltreatment and emphasised the need for professionals to create safe environments in which survivors feel listened to and understood. Relevance to SERENA The presentation contributes to SERENA’s objective of placing the experiences and perspectives of people with lived experience of child maltreatment at the centre of research and policy discussions. The findings provide valuable insights into survivors’ experiences with child protection services, including their expectations regarding professional support, training, empathy and communication. They also highlight the challenges surrounding disclosure and the importance of ensuring that services respond appropriately to the complex and long-term consequences of childhood maltreatment. Through Maria Roth’s contribution at the European Mental Health Conference, SERENA strengthens the visibility of its research within European discussions on mental health, child maltreatment and survivor-centred approaches, while connecting previous EURO-CAN research with the project's current objectives.

On 30 September and 1 October 2026, SERENA will participate in a high-level European event in Brussels addressing equality data. This event is organised by the European Commission, with the support of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Dr Donna O’Leary from Tusla Child and Family Agency, Ireland, a member of the SERENA consortium, will represent the project, providing an opportunity to engage with European stakeholders and contribute to discussions relevant to SERENA’s research and objectives. SERENA participation in the event Dr Donna O’Leary will participate in the 2026 High-Level Roundtable on Equality Data, organised by the European Commission, with the support of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU on 30 September - 1 October 2026. The event will bring together European stakeholders to discuss the importance of robust, reliable and comparable equality data and how data can support the development of more effective policies and measures to address inequalities. Relevance to SERENA Participation in this event provides an opportunity for SERENA to connect its research with wider European discussions on data availability and quality. The event offers a valuable platform for European policy makers, experts, academics, EU institutions and other stakeholders to discuss the responsible collection and use of data across all discrimination grounds in the EU, and to contribute to advancing policy debates and practical implementation. Through Dr Donna O’Leary’s participation, SERENA will contribute to these discussions while strengthening the project's visibility and engagement with relevant European networks and stakeholders working towards more effective, inclusive and evidence-based child protection policies.

Prof. Catherine Quantin, coordinator of the SERENA project, is pleased to announce the organization of a seminar entitled “Cross-Perspectives on Child Maltreatment Data”, which will take place on Friday, 20 November 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Dijon, France. The event will also be accessible via videoconference (the access link will be sent to registered participants). This seminar is organized in the context of the International Day for the Rights of the Child. Seminar Overview This French-language event will bring together researchers, professionals, and institutional representatives. It aims to foster exchange on practices, data, and perspectives related to the prevention and monitoring of child maltreatment. The seminar will be structured around three roundtable discussions (see attached program in French): Data collection and dissemination Prevention, qualification, and management of child maltreatment Training of healthcare professionals Free participation Registration is mandatory. Click here to register! We look forward to welcoming many of you to this important event.

On 29 May 2026, SERENA research was presented at the 11th World Conference on Women's Studies (WCWS) during an online session bringing together researchers from Asian universities and women's rights organisations. The presentation, delivered by Maria Roth (Babeș-Bolyai University, Romania) on behalf of the SERENA consortium, explored the experiences of women survivors of child maltreatment participating in research and highlighted the importance of survivor engagement in shaping ethical and meaningful research practices. The session was attended by approximately 15 participants, and the presentation received the conference's Overall Best Presenter Award, recognising both its scientific quality and its contribution to discussions on gender, violence and participatory research. Contributions from SERENA partners Maria Roth presented "Voices of Women Survivors of Child Maltreatment Participating in Research," drawing on findings from multinational research involving adult survivors of child maltreatment across several European countries. The presentation examined the ethical, legal and methodological considerations involved in engaging survivors in research, emphasising the importance of recognising lived experience as a valuable source of knowledge for improving child protection policies and services. The study combined an international online survey with interviews and focus groups to explore how participants perceive their identities as victims and survivors, and how these perspectives influence their willingness to engage in research. The presentation highlighted that participation in research can have important personal and social benefits for survivors. Participants described research as an opportunity to validate their lived experiences, contribute to greater public understanding of child maltreatment and support improvements in professional practice. Findings also showed that the concepts of victim and survivor are not mutually exclusive but may evolve throughout different stages of an individual's life and recovery process. The research emphasised the need for researchers to balance appropriate protection of participants with recognition of their agency, resilience and expertise, supporting more participatory and ethically grounded approaches to child maltreatment research. Impact and outcomes The presentation generated discussion among participants from universities and women's rights organisations on the role of survivor participation in research addressing violence against children and women. Receiving the Overall Best Presenter Award recognised the quality and relevance of the work and highlighted the importance of incorporating lived experience into child maltreatment research. Through its participation in WCWS 2026, SERENA strengthened the visibility of its research within the international community working on gender, child protection and participatory research, reinforcing the project's commitment to producing evidence that informs more inclusive, ethical and survivor-centred research practices.

SERENA participated in the Decisions, Assessment, Risk and Evidence in Social Work (DARE) Conference, held in Zurich, Switzerland, on 25–26 June 2026. During the conference, researchers from Swansea University presented two oral communications showcasing Work Package 8, highlighting how linked administrative data can improve understanding of the experiences and service pathways of children who have experienced maltreatment. Contributions from SERENA partners Laura Cowley presented "Pathways Through Public Services for Maltreated Children in Care: A Scoping Review of Studies Using Linked Administrative Data." The presentation reviewed existing European evidence on how linked administrative data have been used to examine interactions between children in care and public services, including health, education, justice, housing, and employment systems. The review identified common patterns across countries, highlighted the long-term inequalities experienced by care-experienced children, and emphasised the importance of strengthening data linkage to better understand service pathways and support earlier interventions. Amrita Bandyopadhyay presented "Patterns of Service Contacts for Children Who Have Experienced Maltreatment and Are Known to Social Services: A Linked Routine Administrative Data Study in Wales, England and Denmark." This presentation introduced the first findings from the Welsh cohort, using routinely collected linked administrative data to examine healthcare utilisation before and after children's first contact with social services. Preliminary results showed that children who have experienced maltreatment make greater use of healthcare services than their matched peers and are more likely to have been born preterm and to live in areas of higher deprivation. The ongoing work will expand these analyses by incorporating education and justice data and comparing findings across Wales, England, and Denmark. Impact and outcomes The presentations generated valuable discussion among social work researchers and child protection professionals, providing useful feedback for the ongoing development of SERENA's linked data analyses. By sharing both a comprehensive review of the existing evidence and the first findings from the project's administrative data studies, SERENA strengthened its engagement with the international research community and reinforced its commitment to improving knowledge on service pathways for children who have experienced maltreatment.

SERENA joined the ISPCAN 2025 congress, in Vilnius, Lithuania 6 - 9 October 2025. We shared initial research results on the development and improvement of health and social care for child victims of maltreatment. During the ISPCAN congress, SERENA partners actively contributed through a variety of formats: Institute of Child Health, Athens (Sakis Ntinapogias) presented a poster introducing the SERENA project (coordinated by Catherine Quantin) and research to date. Authors: Catherine Quantin; Yulia Shenderovich; Ulugbek Nurmatov; Sinead Brophy; Peter Fallessen; Donna O'Leary; Andreas Jud; Leona Hakkaart-van Roijen; Neha Batura; Sakis Ntinapogias; George Nikolaidis (SERENA WP leaders). Cardiff University (Ulugbek Nurmatov) and Aarhus Universitet (Troels Græsholt-Knudsen) gave an oral presentation entitled “Comparative study of barriers and enablers for delivering and accessing health and social care services for children who experienced maltreatment in Denmark, France, and Wales”. Authors: Yulia Shenderovich, Ulugbek Nurmatov, Troels Græsholt-Knudsen, and other SERENA WP2&5 members. Swansea University (Laura Elizabeth Cowley) gave an oral presentation entitled “Hospitalisations for physical abuse in infants and children less than 5 years, 2013–2021: a multinational cohort study using administrative data from five European countries”. Authors: Catherine Quantin, Jonathan Cottenet, Colleen Chambers, Natasha Kennedy, Sadhbh Whelan, Geoff Debelle, Diogo Lamela, Ulugbek Nurmatov, Donna O’Leary, Christian Torp-Pedersen, Sinéad Brophy, Marcella Broccia, Ruth Gilbert, Troels Græsholt-Knudsen, and Laura Cowley (coordinated by Catherine Quantin). Universitatea Babes-Bolyai (Maria Roth) coordinated the Symposium “Voices of Survivors of Child Maltreatment: Participatory research with adult survivors – an essential contribution to research on child maltreatment". Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Dijon (Catherine Quantin) actively participated in the congress activities. Catherine Quantin attended the partners’ presentations and participated as a guest in two sessions on “Concepts and Methods for Cross-National Comparisons of Child Maltreatment Administrative Data”. By meeting other international and multidisciplinary professionals working to end abuse and neglect against children, we ensure that our research activities will inform developments to reduce maltreatment. We undertake to act together to improve detection of maltreatment and improve children care throughout Europe, and we commit to build meaningful recommendations to influence policy and European practices. Please find attached the document summarizing the participation and contributions of the SERENA project at the ISPCAN 2025 congress.

On 21 and 22 May 2026, the consortium met in Dijon for the project's 18-month progress meeting. This meeting marked the end of the project's first reporting period, which officially concludes on 30 June 2026. It provided an important opportunity for all partners to review the progress achieved so far, discuss the advancement of the different ongoing activities and work packages, and coordinate the next steps of the project. With a total duration of 60 months, the project continues to move forward thanks to the strong collaboration and commitment of all consortium partners.

The SERENA project will be presented at the 2026 International Population Data Linkage Network (IPDLN) Conference, held from 13 to 16 July 2026 at Erasmus University Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. IPDLN Introduction The IPDLN conference brings together researchers, practitioners, and students from around the world working on population data linkage. The event focuses on empirical research using administrative and population datasets, methodological innovations in data linkage, and the ethical and legal implications of using large-scale administrative data. It provides a unique opportunity for international collaboration and knowledge exchange in the field of population data science. SERENA involvement During the conference, a few members of the SERENA consortium will present research exploring how children who experience maltreatment interact with public services. The SERENA project will be presented during the Population Data Research panel, Session 505: Youth Vulnerabilities, taking place in Room 5 from 13:00 to 14:30. Two presentations from the SERENA team will be featured at the conference: Laura Cowley (Swansea University) will present the study “Pathways Through Public Services for Maltreated Children in Care: A Scoping Review of Studies Using Linked Administrative Data.” Click here to view Laura Cowley’s abstract Amrita Bandyopadhyay (Swansea University) will present the study “Patterns of service contacts for children who have experienced maltreatment and are known to social services: a Linked Routine Administrative Data Study in Wales, England and Denmark.”Click here to view Amrita Bandyopadhyay’s abstract These presentations were prepared with the participation of SERENA member researchers: Amrita Bandyopadhyay, Laura Cowley, and Tash Kennedy, from Swansea University Medical School, United Kingdom. Peter Fallesen from ROCKWOOL Foundation, Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm University, Sweden. Marcella Broccia from Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde; Herlev and Gentofte Hospital; Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Denmark. Troels Græsholt-Knudsen from Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark. Eliazar Luna from UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, United Kingdom. Catherine Quantin from University Hospital of Dijon; Inserm; Université Paris-Saclay, France. Sinead Brophy from Swansea University Medical School, United Kingdom.

SERENA participated in the 10th Qualitative Research in Mental Health Conference (QRMH10), held in Budapest, Hungary from 21 to 23 May 2025. During the conference, SERENA partners presented research on participatory approaches with survivors of child maltreatment, with a particular focus on identity, ethics, and the role of qualitative research in supporting healing processes. Contributions from SERENA partners Maria Roth from Babes-Bolyai University (UBB) delivered an oral presentation entitled “Preferred modes of self-identification of participants with child maltreatment experiences.” This presentation explored how individuals with lived experience of child maltreatment identify themselves as “victims” and/or “survivors,” highlighting the fluidity of these identities over time. It also addressed the importance of participatory research approaches, as well as the ethical and methodological challenges involved in engaging vulnerable populations in research. Katerina Kyriakou from Institute of Child Health (ICH), in collaboration with international partners, presented an oral communication entitled “Narratives of Healing: Ethical and Therapeutic Considerations in Research with Survivors of Child Maltreatment.” This contribution focused on the ethical and therapeutic dimensions of qualitative research with survivors. It highlighted the role of narrative and participatory methods in supporting meaning-making and healing, while also addressing key ethical considerations such as consent, emotional safety, and the responsibility of researchers working with sensitive experiences. Impact and outcomes Participation in QRMH10 strengthened SERENA’s engagement with the international research community in mental health and child protection. By engaging with leading experts in qualitative mental health research, SERENA continues to advance knowledge on how to better involve survivors in research and improve responses to child maltreatment across Europe.

SERENA participated in the 5th ISA Forum of Sociology (ISA 2025), held in Rabat, Morocco from 6 to 11 July 2025. During the conference, SERENA partners presented research on participatory approaches with children in the context of violence, focusing on ethics, children’s rights, and methodological challenges. Contributions from SERENA partners Maria Roth, Eva Laszlo, Imola Antal and David Kacso Agnes from Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) presented a poster entitled “Ethics of Participatory Research with Children on the Topic of Violence.” The presentation explored key ethical dilemmas in research with children, particularly the balance between participation and protection. It addressed issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, and risks like retraumatization, while also highlighting the role of ethical boards and national regulations Impact and outcomes Participation in ISA 2025 strengthened SERENA’s engagement with the international sociological research community and contributed to ongoing discussions on ethics and children’s participation in research. By engaging with international experts in sociology and child protection, SERENA continues to advance knowledge on how to ethically involve children in research and improve responses to violence affecting children across Europe.

Cardiff University is recruiting participants for SERENA , a European study exploring how to improve access to support services for children and young people who have experienced abuse or neglect from a parent or caregiver. The project also includes research teams in France and Denmark . 👉 We are looking for: Adults aged ~18–35 Who experienced abuse or neglect in childhood Who spent part of their childhood in Wales Professionals  working in health, social care, the third sector, or other services supporting people affected by childhood abuse Participation involves a confidential interview: online or in person Interviews will take place between January and June 2026 . All information shared will be kept strictly confidential. To express interest or request more information: SERENA@cardiff.ac.uk

The first SERENA consortium meeting will be held on September 15 – 16, 2025, in Cardiff, UK.