Understanding Prevention

About

Under the leadership of Professor Jacqueline Bhabha, the Understanding Prevention project seeks to develop a deeper understanding of community-level strategies to prevent child abuse, exploitation, and neglect, which are essential preconditions to adult success and productive engagement with society. The project aims to document and assess the harm-prevention strategies of three successful and prominent Indian non-profits — MV Foundation, Aangan Trust, and Child in Need Institute (CINI) — and construct an evidence-based case for increased investment in community-level preventative programs in India.

Background

Data collection and analysis was completed in the first study during an evaluation of the non-profit Aangan Trust in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Preliminary analysis of data from Varanasi has revealed that social protection programs in this area have limited effectiveness for child protection. Awareness of and enrollment in these programs is low, and it is difficult to receive benefits even after signing up.

The second stage of this project, conducted in collaboration with UNICEF and the government, used this research to design targeted training tools for local stakeholders who are central to community-based prevention programs. It worked with government officials to incorporate this research into budgeting and priority-setting.