I am a PhD researcher in the Department of Sociology and a member of the Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse. I joined the Department after working for nearly a decade in the development sector of the Philippines. I have contributed to several policy advocacy campaigns leading to the enactment of child-related laws. I also led policy research projects on preventing sexual violence against children and teenage pregnancies. I hold a graduate degree in Public Policy and Management from Birkbeck, University of London as a Chevening scholar and an undergraduate degree in Development Studies from Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines.
My doctoral research project focuses on understanding the views of young people on sexual violence and its prevention through creative participatory methods. I am co-producing knowledge and shared understanding of violence and abuse and proposed solutions to preventing and addressing it with several groups of young people (13-18 years old) in Northeast England through a series of participatory workshops. The workshops involve different interactive activities such as vignettes, games, concept mapping, and discussions to allow young people to express themselves using the language and ideas that were most relevant to them. I’m passionate about engaging children and young people towards amplifying their voices on issues that matter to them. I’m hopeful the project will contribute to meaningfully engaging young people in co-developing research, policy, and programmes on addressing sexual violence and abuse.
