CSSR researchers showcase violence prevention research at Safety 2026

Held under the theme “Ubuntu: United for a Safer Future,” the conference brought together researchers, practitioners and policymakers from more than 80 countries to advance approaches to injury and violence prevention.

The global gathering coincided with the 30th anniversary of the World Health Assembly resolution recognising violence as a major public health concern and aimed to advance coordinated responses to gender-based violence, road safety, mental health and emerging harms.

Prof Elona Toska presented “A Lifecourse Perspective on Violence: Insights on Adolescence and Youth in Resource-Constrained Settings,” exploring how experiences of violence across childhood, adolescence and young adulthood can shape long-term wellbeing.

The CSSR-based SWIFT study team presented three posters on the ParentText WhatsApp chatbot, covering its co-design with stakeholders, lessons from the pilot and preliminary Phase 2 findings. The team reported that 4,718 caregivers had joined the programme, while clinic staff interviews explored how the intervention could be integrated into routine health services.

The SWIFT team further co-facilitated a pre-conference workshop with the World Health Organization and the Institute for Security Studies on the INSPIRE framework for ending violence against children.

Nicole Chetty also presented findings from ParentApp for Teens in Tanzania, involving 2,396 caregiver–adolescent groups and reporting a 57% reduction in adolescent sexual violence victimisation, alongside improvements in caregiver and adolescent mental health.

Together, these contributions highlighted the ongoing efforts of CSSR research on violence prevention and practical approaches to improving the safety and wellbeing of children, adolescents, and families.