Objective To date, 12 million children have been orphaned by AIDS, and 70 million more live with AIDS-affected caregivers within sub-Saharan Africa. Our programme of research has demonstrated heightened levels of physical, sexual and emotional abuse amongst children in AIDS-affected families. Despite increasing calls for intervention studies addressing child abuse in the developing world (UN 2008; WHO 2010) no interventions or research have yet targeted this high-risk group of AIDS-affected children. This project will develop and test, using a randomised controlled trial design, an evidence-based intervention to prevent and reduce child abuse within AIDS-affected families in South Africa.The study takes an innovative approach, incorporating a tripartite collaborative process between scientists, policy-makers, and civil society, thus maximising cultural applicability and sustainability. The randomised controlled trial includes 1600 adult and child participants, with wait-list controls and 1-year post-test evaluation in a real-world setting. The research has the key aims of 1) Testing theoretical frameworks of causation and prevention of child abuse in the developing world; 2) Testing the efficacy of an intervention for reducing child abuse; (3) Examining potential intervention moderators and mediators; (4) Testing the feasibility of the intervention when implemented by community volunteers at a low cost; (5) Disseminating results within sub-Saharan Africa to inform policy and programming.This study capitalises on the PI’s position as a scientific advisor to Southern African governments and international NGOs, on the expertise of a senior advisory group of academics and policy-makers, and on an established research team. This research is of immediate necessity in promoting child development within the world pandemic of HIV/AIDS. It also goes beyond the state of the art in innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to the active engagement of science with civil society. Fields of science social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiescivil societynongovernmental organizationsmedical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthepidemiologypandemicsmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusesHIV Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-SH3 - ERC Starting Grant - Environment and society Call for proposal ERC-2012-StG_20111124 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD EU contribution € 1 460 373,00 Address WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES OX1 2JD Oxford United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gill Wells (Ms.) Principal investigator Lucie Dale Cluver (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD United Kingdom EU contribution € 1 460 373,00 Address WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES OX1 2JD Oxford See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gill Wells (Ms.) Principal investigator Lucie Dale Cluver (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data