This Scoping Report has been developed as part of the EU co-funded project “Applying Safe Behaviours: Preventing and Responding to Peer Violence and Gender-Based Violence Amongst Vulnerable Children and Young People,” (2025-2027) which is implemented by SOS Children’s Villages and Terre des hommes in Bulgaria, Italy, Kosovo, Romania and Sweden. Through the scoping activities, we sought to understand gender-based risks for children and young people in each of the project countries, and how their experience of peer violence can differ depending on their age and gender. The project is conceptualized through a socio-ecological model8 to GBV and peer on peer violence prevention and response, recognizing that violence is influenced by and impacts multiple levels of an individual’s environment—ranging from personal and interpersonal relationships to community and societal structures. Interventions are designed to activate protective factors across these levels, including capacity-building and awareness-raising for children, young people and the adults and professionals who care for and work with them, collaboration with community stakeholders, and advocacy for systemic policy change. By centring the needs and rights of affected individuals, especially children and youth, the project aims to contribute to a more integrated and sustainable response to gender-based peer on peer violence.

Thorn published youth-centered research that digs into the experiences of French youth (aged 12-16) with online sexual harms, including cold solicitations, online grooming, sexting, NCII, and the hurdles they face in disclosing their experiences. FRENCH VERSION

Thorn published youth-centered research that digs into the experiences of German youth (aged 12-16) with online sexual harms, including cold solicitations, online grooming, sexting, NCII, and the hurdles they face in disclosing their experiences. GERMAN Version

Primary prevention – investment for safety, health and well-being of children, adolescents, adolescents and adults The experience of violence and sexual abuse is also a reality in Slovenia for some children, adolescents and adolescents. The consequences of violence and abuse have a negative impact on children’s physical and psychological well-being, physical and mental health. These consequences can very roughly “interfere” with their personal development, interpersonal relationships, opportunities for schooling, creation, carefree play. Primary prevention is one of the key factors for protecting children, adolescents and adolescents from various forms of violence and abuse. Preventive activities strengthen the protective factors of children, adolescents and adolescents. It is important to start already in the preschool period and ensure repetitions, upgrading knowledge and skills.

Arnaud Tanti a neurobiologist explaining that child abuse elicits brain changes persisting at adulthood.