Beyond the visible: Centering adolescent voices in conceptualising violence in conflict settings

Measures of violence against children (VAC) categorise violence as physical, emotional, sexual violence and neglect. While used globally, these measures may not reflect how conflict-affected adolescents conceptualise harm. Drawing on child rights, structural violence, and feminist frameworks, this study explores how adolescents living in conflict-affected Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conceptualise violence.

We conducted four same-sex group discussions with 36 adolescents (20 girls, 16 boys) aged 13-17 years old in the DRC. Participants discussed daily experiences in their community: things they like, and good and bad things they experience. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis were used to identify forms of violence discussed, which were then mapped onto measures of VAC to explore how well existing tools capture their experiences.

Adolescents described experiences of violence consistent with physical, emotional and sexual violence, child neglect and labour, which are all commonly recognised in existing tools. Less commonly recognised forms described included economic control, negative social perceptions and ill-labelling, taking on parental responsibility, and environmental hazards and safety concerns in the community. Gender differences emerged with economic maltreatment predominantly described by boys and sexual exploitation linked to unmet needs described only by girls.

When adolescents define harm in their own terms, they reveal forms of violence not captured by standard measures. These forms of harm also reflect the stage of development and positioning of adolescents in society. Research tools for conflict-affected adolescents should be co-developed with adolescents to ensure evidence and prevention strategies reflect and address the interconnected forms of harm.