This summer we welcome two new research assistants to the team, Ruth Atkinson and Delphine Girma. Ruth and Delphine have both been working in the voluntary sector and bring a range of different skills and experiences – we are delighted to have them on the team. Here is a little bit more about our newest team members.
Ruth Atkinson
“I am really delighted to have joined the team at the International Centre. As Research Assistant, I will be working on contextual safeguarding as part of the contextual safeguarding team, including managing the Contextual Safeguarding network. I am passionate about developing and influencing responses to, and prevention of, abuse, and contextual safeguarding sits at the heart of this, offering a vital route for safeguarding young people. For my MA in Human Rights I carried out a research project assessing policy responses to ‘revenge pornography’, proposing a model for a survivor-centred response. I am really excited to be able to build on this and contribute to the amazing work being carried out at the Centre!
My background is in research and public policy. Following the completion of my MA I have worked with a number of voluntary sector organisations focusing on health and social care, human rights and violence against women and girls. I currently sit on the board of Imkaan and am co-leading a project to develop equal health policy for the Women’s Equality Party.”
Delphine Girma
“Hi, my name is Delphine and I am very excited to be joining the International Centre as a Research Assistant on the Our Voices Too project.
I was previously working for The Children’s Society as part of a national programme funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk to develop prevention strategies aimed at capturing intelligence and lowering incidences of child sexual abuse and exploitation across England and Wales, focusing particularly in priority areas earmarked by police analysts.
Prior to this I was part of The Children’s Society’s Safeguarding and Quality Practice team, developing service models for all frontline services and managing an internal network of tools, processes and guidance to support practitioners and share good practice. I have also worked in the Emergency Response team of the French branch of CARE International, providing project management support to operational colleagues in field offices. I have a research masters in International Relations, specialising in International Development Aid and Peace Studies.
Empowering children and young people by giving them a voice and making this voice heard is fundamental to preventing and responding to sexual violence and this new role with the International Centre is a fantastic opportunity to explore and share participatory approaches at a European level.”
Photo by Alysa Bajenaru on Unsplash
The Safer Young Lives Research Centre (SYLRC) Blog 