Protocol for a mixed-methods effectiveness evaluation of the community-led child protection approach (Seeds) in La Guajira, Colombia
Child Protection and Practice, vol. 6, pp. 100201
Abstract
Background Globally, an estimated one billion children experience violence every year. The prevalence of violence is anticipated to be higher in low-and middle-income countries and particularly in humanitarian contexts. Colombia faces a protracted humanitarian crisis. It is affected by long-lasting internal conflict, high levels of community violence, the climate crisis, and migration due to the political crisis in Venezuela. Objective The aim of this mixed-method study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-led child protection approach ( Seeds ) in La Guajira, Colombia. Participants and setting The study will be conducted in eight communities, randomly allocated to the intervention and control arms. Data will be collected from children and adults involved in Seeds activities, children targeted by community action, and natural helpers. The study will be conducted in La Guajira, a department in northern Colombia, with close proximity to the Venezuelan border and a history of armed conflict. Methods The study will follow a convergent parallel mixed-methods design in which quantitative and qualitative data are collected in parallel, analyzed separately, and then merged for interpretation. The quantitative arm of the study will follow a matched-control quasi-experimental design using a waitlist control. Qualitative data will be collected using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation. Conclusion The results of the study will help address the lack of rigorous evidence on approaches to prevent violence against children, broaden understanding of changes driven by community-led child protection approaches, and offer an example of how to overcome challenges in evaluating community-led and prevention approaches.
Authors 7
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Rinske Everarda Catharina Ellermeijer corresponding
War Child · University of Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Research and Development Department, War Child Alliance, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Research and Development Department, War Child Alliance, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Influencing & Impact Department, Save the Children International, France
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Ria Reis Aachen
University of Cape Town · Leiden University Medical Center · Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development
Affiliation as printed
Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
The Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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War Child · University of Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Research and Development Department, War Child Alliance, The Netherlands
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