1. Balkan Epidemiological Study on Child Abuse & Neglect (BECAN) Project Overview & Progress George Nikolaidis 1 1 Department of Mental Health and Social Welfare, Institute of Child Health, Greece

2. Project’s Identity Contract Number: HEALTH-F2-2009-223478 Type of Project: Collaborative Call: FP7-HEALTH-2007-B Co-funding: Research Directorate General EC & 9 Balkan Participating Organizations Duration: 36 months October 2009 - September 2012 Participating countries Albania Bosnia & Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Greece Romania Serbia Turkey

3. BECAN Consortium

4. BECAN Project: Structure & Activities WP1 Build National Networks of experts & child welfare services in the 9 participating countries WP2Prepare the instruments to be used for data collection (translation & cultural validation) & Train the research groups to adequately & uniformly collect (WP3), extract (WP4) & code data WP3Conduct an epidemiological study aiming at mapping CAN in a representative sample of 11 to 16-year-old children’s general population in Greece, Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, FYROM, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Turkey & examining the association between CAN & socio-demographic characteristics of the sample WP4Identify equivalent numbers of already reported and/or detected cases of CAN in 9 Balkan countries & examine types of CAN and socio-demographic characteristics of families WP5Disseminate the project’s aims and deliverables with emphasis on results of the studies WP6Provide the scientific & strategic basis for annual evaluation of CAN issues in the 9 Balkan countries as well as an open forum for continuing discussion on CAN issues WP7Monitor the process & evaluate achievement of the project’s objectives, impact and outcome WP8Monitor & evaluate ethical issues related to research at both, National and Balkan level

5. Main aim of the BECAN Project Mapping of CAN incidence and prevalence for children 11-16 years old in 9 Balkan countries Valid & representative data  creation of a robust basis for Evaluation of CAN preventive policies and interventions Harmonization of CAN screening and surveillance processes in the Balkan area Development of evidence-based recommendations for improvement of national policies concerning CAN administration  More effective CAN prevention

6. Networking Activities Aim: build national networks of experts and child welfare services in all of the participating countries Process: definition of eligibility criteria, identification of potential members, invitation of members, building National Networks for CAN prevention Current National Networks Activation of national networks Organizing network meetings Planning common activities towards CAN-intervention & prevention Disseminating information WP1

7. Set up of National e-Fora Aim: the best functioning of the national networks and project National ForumsMembersViews (5/2011) Albania26>300 Bosnia & Herzegovina07>650 Bulgaria12>150 Croatia58>400 FYROM22>210 Greece94>2000 Romania11>170 Serbia53>670 Turkey244>1310 Process: setting up 9 national fora (+1 BECAN Managerial forum); drafting and disseminating a users’ guide including “Instructions for members of the CAN Network forum” Current status: WP1

8. Capacity Building Activities a. Development of research tools Research tools related to WP3 (Epidemiological Survey) Obtaining permission from ISPCAN to translate, culturally adapt, modify & use the ICAST tools Translation, adaptation and cultural validation into 10 Balkan languages of ICAST-CH tool ICAST-P tool Epidemiological field survey protocol Informed consent and parent info sheet Child assent form Research tools related to WP4 (Case-based Surveillance) Development of the CBSS extraction methodology & tools CBSS protocol Operations' booklet Extraction form part I (Agency related information) Extraction form part II (CAN cases-related information) SPSS files & codification notes Translation and adaptation into 9 Balkan languages WP2

9. Cultural validation of ICAST tools Focus Groups Number of participants in the FG/country/children’s age cluster Total number of participants in the Focus Groups conducted with children & parents per country Country Children Parents 11 years old13 years old16 years oldDrop-outs Albania131213 11 Serbia211413 5 FYROM161716411 B & H7267 7 Greece872 3 Turkey879 11 Romania-3618911 Croatia191719916 Bulgaria141114618 Sub Total1061471112893 Total39293 WP2

10. Capacity Building Activities b. Training Training related to WP3 (Epidemiological Survey) Train the trainers on ICAST delivery field survey to research methodology  to be able to train their national research groups Train the research groups Training related to WP4 (Case-based Surveillance) Train the trainers on case-based surveillance to research methodology  to be able to train their national research groups Train the research groups CountryNo of Trained Field Researchers Albania9 Bulgaria34 Croatia72 Romania21 Turkey(*)N/A FYROM13 Serbia33 B&H21 Greece17 Total218 CountryNo of Trained Field Researchers Albania4 Bulgaria10 Croatia32 Romania27 Turkey(*)N/A FYROM7 Serbia18 B&H7 Greece7 Total112 WP2

11. BECAN Research Activities Epidemiological Survey Target group: Children 11-16 years old School status: –Children attending school –Children who have dropped out Methods: Distribution of the ICAST-CH and ICAST-P questionnaires to a sample of ~40,000 children and their parents to explore and measure CAN cases for a 12-month time period (previous year) Case-based surveillance study Target group: Children 11-16 years old School status: –Children attending school –Children who have dropped out Methods: Extraction of CAN data from available archives/databases derived from agencies belonging to the health-, welfare-, justice- and public order-sectors as well as related NGOs WP3 WP4

12. Scheduling of Research Activities Preparatory Phase-Completed Epidemiological survey Train-the-field researchers’ national workshops: Aim: to adequately and uniformly implement the field survey in schools Trained trainers on the basis of adapted & translated material Duration: 16 hours Workshops’ evaluation Modification of material/process on the basis of evaluation results (where needed) Case-based Surveillance Train-the-field researchers’ national workshops: Aim: to adequately and uniformly extract data and code them Facilitators: Trained trainers One 2-day workshop/country Content of training CBSS Protocol CBSS Extraction Forms & Operations’ booklet Process of extracting data available in existing archives/databases Mock extraction (3 cases) WP3 WP4

13. Scheduling of research activities Timetable/Tasks Epidemiological Survey Official Permission Collection of data for sampling Sampling Securing access to schools Development of the research team Scheduling and supervision methodology Preparation of materials Focus Groups Pilot Studies Core Field Surveys data collection Children and their parents School drop outs and their parents Coding and data cross-checking Statistical analysis Results’ reporting Case-based surveillance Identification of eligible organizations and agencies Tracing of respectful databases, archives, records Recording of characteristics of pre-existing databases Maintaining access to datasets Development of the research team Scheduling and supervision methodology Preparation of materials Scheduling of in situ visitation to organizations CAN related data collection Data extraction on the basis of a specific form Coding and data cross-checking Statistical analysis Results’ reporting WP3 WP4 completedongoingpending

14. Epidemiological Survey-Implementation Flowchart Applying and obtaining permission for ICAST usage to ISPCAN Translating ICAST in national languages Focus Groups for culturally validation of ICAST Developing Training Manuals for tools’ usage by Field Researches Final national ICAST-CH ICAST-P Training Field Researchers Applying and obtaining official permission(s) to implement research in schools Conducting Pilot Studies Conducting main body “core” field research Developing Coding Files and set of data entry codification instructions Results’ data entry Results’ statistical analysis and interpretation Conducting School Drop outs’ Survey Conducting Sampling Conducting School Drop outs’ Focus Groups WP3

15. CBSS-Implementation Flowchart WP4

16. WP3 initial sampling

17. Research progress insofar CountryWP3WP4 GreeceOngoing ≈2/3 of the total sample Ongoing ≈1/2 complete AlbaniaCompletedTo be implemented BulgariaCompletedOngoing BosniaCompletedTo be implemented CroatiaCompleted FYROMOngoing ≈85% of the total sample Ongoing RomaniaCompleted SerbiaOngoingTo be implemented TurkeyTo be implemented

18. Some examples of WP3’s progress insofar: Greece Sample size: 19.411 children and their parents Percentage of the representative sample: 5% of the children’s population Insofar coverage: 12.631 children and their parents Children’s response rate: ≈65% (higher in 11y.o., relatively lower in 16y.o. especially in vocational high schools; higher in rural and lower in urban regions) Parent’s response rate: ≈40% of the sample ≈70% of the participating children’s sample

19. Some examples of WP3’s progress insofar: Albania Sample size: 4.561 children and their parents Percentage of the representative sample: 3% of the children’s population Children’s response rate: 3.467 ICAST-CH (76% RR; 73% urban RR, 78% rural RR) Parent’s response rate: 2.512 ICAST-P (55% sample RR, 76% children’s RR)

20. Some examples of WP3’s progress insofar: Croatia Sample size: 5.006 children and their parents Percentage of the representative sample: 2% of the children’s population Children’s response rate: 3.688 ICAST-CH (73,67% overall RR; 69,24% 11y.o. and 13y.o.; 84,12% 16y.o.)

21. Some examples of WP3’s progress insofar: FYROM Sample size: 1.850 children and their parents Percentage of the representative sample: 3% of the children’s population Children’s response rate: 47% 11y.o.; 45% 13y.o.; 97% 16y.o. Parent’s sample response rate: 31% 11y.o.; 30,5% 13y.o.; 66% 16y.o.

22. WP4’s progress insofar: Greece Type of Organization 2010 (0-18y.o.) CAN cases detected/reported in Attica Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child (Independent Authority)88 Supportive Services of the Ministry of Justice (Juvenile Supervisors’ Agencies, Ministry of Justice’s Shelters etc) 189 National Center for Social Solidarity (Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity)317 Other central governmental Social Services and Structures (Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity)258 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services of the Hellenic National Health System (Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity) 540 Health and Social Services (excluding mental health ones) of the Hellenic National Health System (Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity) – mainly social services of N.H.S.’s hospitals 363 Social Services of municipalities and prefectures (Ministry of Public Administration)678 Supportive and Consulting Centers (mainly of municipal authorities under the auspices of Ministry of Public Administration) 122 Specialized structures of Ministry of Education (mainly services for children with special disabilities)76 NGOs having residential child care facilities (Homes, Shelters etc)712 NGOs without having residential child care facilities (Homes, Shelters etc)616 TOTAL3959

23. Dissemination Activities Aim: disseminate the existence of the project, its aims, methodology, results of the studies and all the deliverables to the authorities of the Balkan countries and other entities working on CAN in the Balkans and worldwide Process: a press office was set up at the beginning of the project; a dissemination plan was drafted; the website of the project was developed Results: national BECAN conference(s) (in certain countries up to today) several Press Releases both in English and in national languages development of newsletters, leaflets and information material (in certain countries) >5 oral presentations in international Conferences >15 in national major scientific events Conferences a significant number of web-based publications on scientific websites a significant number of web-based publications on informative general public websites 2 brief communications to the EU summarizing the project’s progress (3 rd & 15 th month) other communications briefly summarizing the objectives and progress of the project were sent to respectful EU’s agencies to be uploaded on EU-Internet applications (CORDIS etc.) BECAN Consortium decided to prepare for publication the process and outcome of WP2 as well as WP8 (modification of ICAST tools, development of CBSS extraction tools and innovative solutions for various ethical issues in conducting field research on CAN respectfully) WP5

24. Dissemination activities: presentations Nikolaidis, G. & Petroulaki, K. Real World Research on Child Abuse and Neglect: the case of Greece and the Balkans. 11th Biennial International EUSARF Conference, 22-25 Sep 2010, Groningen-The Netherlands Nikolaidis, G. Cross National Child Maltreatment Survey through self report studies. 18th International ISPCAN Conference, 26-29 Sep 2010, Honolulu-Hawaii Nikolaidis, G. Cross National Comparisons in youth population surveys about child maltreatment. 18th International ISPCAN Conference, 26-29 Sep 2010, Honolulu-Hawaii Petroulaki, K., Ntinapogias S., Tsirigoti, A., Hatzinikolaou, K., Nikolaidis, G. BECAN project. 8th National Congress on Public Health & Health Services “Social Epidemics”. 15-17 Mar 2010, Athens-Greece Petroulaki, K., Tsirigoti, A., Stavrianaki, M., Georgoulas, S., Nikolaidis, G. Real world research on child abuse and neglect the case of Greece and the Balkans. 8th National Congress on Public Health & Health Services “Social Epidemics”. 15-17 Mar 2010, Athens-Greece Petroulaki, K., Tsirigoti, A., Fatsea, E., Milioni, F., Nikolaidis, G. For the Development of a National Unified System of Report of CAN in Greece. 8th National Congress on Public Health & Health Services “Social Epidemics”. 15-17 Mar 2010, Athens-Greece Ntinapogias, S. Case-based Surveillance Study in the Attica Prefecture (BECAN WP4). National Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect. Institute of Child Health, Dept of Mental Health and Social Welfare. 9-10 May 2011, Athens-Greece Dimitrokali, A., Vasilakopoulou, A., Papageorgopoulos, G., Tsouvelas, G., Ntinapogias, S. Field survey: Facilitators and barriers during the implementation of case-based surveillance study. National Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect. Institute of Child Health, Dept of Mental Health and Social Welfare. 9-10 May 2011, Athens-Greece WP5

25. Zorec, L., Rimac, I., Ogresta, E. Application of the focus group method in pilot studies: Experiences from the project BECAN. 3rd scientific-expert conference dedicated to the questions of violence: psychosocial aspects of violence in modern society–a challenge to the family, school and community. 27 Nov 2010, Zagreb-Croatia Ajdukovic, M., Rajter, M., Sušac, N. Specifics of the research ethics of violence against children. 3rd scientific-expert conference dedicated to the questions of violence: psychosocial aspects of violence in modern society–a challenge to the family, school and community. 27 Nov 2010, Zagreb-Croatia Ajdukovic, M. Ethics of professional conduct in cases of violence. 3rd scientific-expert conference dedicated to the questions of violence: psychosocial aspects of violence in modern society–a challenge to the family, school and community. 27 Nov 2010, Zagreb-Croatia Croatian Team. BECAN Project. 3rd scientific-expert conference dedicated to the questions of violence: psychosocial aspects of violence in modern society–a challenge to the family, school and community. 27 Nov 2010, Zagreb-Croatia Raleva, M. Progress in Violence prevention initiatives in the Republic of Macedonia. Third Global Meeting of WHO Violence and Injury Prevention Focal Points, 20-21 Sept 2010, London-UK Raleva, M. BECAN Project. Global Conference on Safety, 21-24 Sep 2010, London-UK Raleva, M. Methodology of the BECAN research study. Meeting of National Coordinative Body on Combating Domestic Violence. 23 Nov 2010. UCP-FYR Macedonia Vlajkovic, A., Hanak, N., Tenjovic, L., Ispanovic-Radojkovic. V. Balkanska epidemioloska stija o zlostavljanju I zanemarivanju dece. 2nd Congress of Society of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 22-25 Apr 2010, Zlatibor- Serbia Serbian Team. Balkanska epidemioloska studija o zlostavljanju I zanemarivanju dece. Annual Conference of the Serbian Victimology Society, Serbia WP5 Dissemination activities: presentations

26. Hanak, N., Vlajkovic, A., Tenjovic, L., Ispanovic-Radojkovic. V. Istrazivanje zlostavljanja I zanemarinvanja dece: Iskustva u primeni ICAST upitnika. Conference of the Association of Psychologist of Serbia, 28 May 2010, Zlatibor-Serbia Serbian Team. Balkanska epidemioloska studija o zlostavljanju I zanemarivanju dece. (Poster). Council for Children’s Rights Conference Stancheva-Popkostantinova, V. From Adolescence to Adulthood: normality and pathology. 8-12 Sept 2010, Larnaca-Cyprus Stancheva-Popkostantinova, V. Evidence-based approaches for prevention of CAN. Contribution of project BECAN. Bulgarian Scientific Society on Child Neurology, Psychiatry and Developmental Psychology. 21-23 Oct 2010, Sofia-Bulgaria Stancheva-Popkostantinova, V. Current approaches for prevention of CAN. Contribution of project BECAN. National Conference of Lecturers in Social Work. 3-4 Dec 2010. Stara Zagora-Bulgaria Stancheva-Popkostantinova, V. Ministry of Education, Agency for Social Suport, State Agency for Child Protection, Educational Directorates in Blagoevgrad, Veliko Tyrnovo, Varna-Bulgaria Stancheva-Popkostantinova, V. Balkan research network in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The contribution of project BECAN (FP7). International University Seminar for Balkan Studies and Specialization South-West University "Neofit Rilski“ Oral, R. SARSILMIŞ. BEBEK SENDROMU. İstismara Bağlı Kafa Travması. COCUK ISTISMARINI VE IHMALINI ONLEME KONGRESI. 26-28 Mayis 2010. Ankara-Turkey Sofuoglu, T. Significance of Case –Based Surveillance Study in WP4. 1st National Congress of Paediatric Emergency and Ambulatory Pediatrics. 3-5 Nov 2010, Kusadasi, Izmir-Turkey Sofuoglu, T., Olmezoglu, Z. BECAN project: Aim, Scope and Expectations. Child Abuse and Neglect Symposium- EgeUniversity. 13 Dec 2010, Izmir-Turkey Olmezoglu, Z. BECAN project. International AGEAN Ambulance Rally, 16-19 Sep 2010, Izmi-Turkey WP5

27. Dissemination activities: presentations in the context of the current event 12th ISPCAN European Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect Challenging Social Responsibilities for Child Abuse and Neglect. 18-21 September 2011, Tampere, Finland Round Table: Ethical and Methodological Issues on Child Abuse and Neglect Research Nikolaidis, G., Salvanou, A. Ethical challenges in conducting field research in Greece Browne, K. Ethical dilemmas in the prevalence studies of child abuse and neglect Roth, M., Antal, I., Tonk, G., Kacso, A. Consent request from parents for CAN surveys completion by children 10-14. A nonsense Rajter, M., Ajduković, M., Sušac, N. Ethical and Methodological Issues on Child abuse and Neglect Research in Croatia Round Table: Epidemiological Field Research and Administrative Data Case-Surveillance Studies on Child Abuse and Neglect Nikolaidis, G., Petroulaki, K., Ntinapogias, S., Tsirigoti, A., Zarokosta, F. Representative sample’s randomized epidemiological field research in Greece Cenko, E., Hazhiymeri, E., Hazizaj, A., Coku, B. The adaptation and piloting of the ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tool Children’s Version in Albanian Rajter, M., Sušac, N., Rimac, I., Ogresta, J., Skokandić, L., Ajduković, M. Epidemiological field research in Croatia Antal, I., Tonk, G., Roth, M., David-Kacso, A., Voicu, K., Mezei, E., Szasz R. Field epidemiology in Romania: the BECAN project WP5

28. BECAN website www.becan.eu www.becan.eu  BECAN Project  Identity Identity  Coordinator Coordinator  Concept and objectives Concept and objectives  Consortium Consortium  Funding Funding  Methodology & Workplan Methodology & Workplan  Potential Impact Potential Impact  Ethical Issues Ethical Issues  Gender aspects Gender aspects  Work Packages  WP1: Coordination and Networking WP1: Coordination and Networking  WP2: Instruments & Training on Methodology WP2: Instruments & Training on Methodology  WP3: Epidemiological Studies WP3: Epidemiological Studies  WP4: Case-based Surveillance WP4: Case-based Surveillance  WP5: Dissemination WP5: Dissemination  WP6: Sustainability WP6: Sustainability  WP7: Evaluation WP7: Evaluation  WP8: Supervision of Ethical Issues WP8: Supervision of Ethical Issues  Primary links  Forum Forum  Contact us Contact us  Search Search  Sitemap Sitemap  Disclaimer Disclaimer  Useful links  Greece Greece  Bulgaria Bulgaria  Romania Romania  Albania Albania  Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia  Turkey Turkey  Croatia Croatia  Serbia Serbia  Bosnia & Herzegovina Bosnia & Herzegovina  Global Global WP5

29. Sustainability Objectives: Provide the scientific and strategic basis for annual evaluation of CAN issues in each Balkan partner country  development of a strategic plan for the prevention of CAN at national and Balkan levels Provide an open forum for continuing discussion on CAN issues for interested parties and the public WP6 objectives will be achieved through synergies with other relevant WPs via horizontal actions such as networking CAN-related professionals, organizations and agencies in all participant countries widely disseminating the current situation on CAN in each participant country For example: National Reports on the current situation regarding CAN have been widely circulated maintenance of website and forums WP6 http://www.becan.eu/node/21

30. WP1 Provide information for the 9 National Networks & maintain the BECAN portal Sustainability: WP interconnection WP6AIM Based on information provided by WP1, 3, 4 & 5, the Strategic Plan for the development of a permanent CAN Monitoring System in 9 Balkan countries Activities towards Sustainability to promote the strategic plan to be used for systematic annual national evaluation of CAN issues aiming at: follow up on the rates and characteristics of CAN in 9 Balkan countries creation of a basis for future assessments of the effectiveness and efficiency of any CAN-related preventive, legal or other intervention to invite relevant national Organizations (and Authorities) to continue the CAN surveillance at national level after the end of the BECAN project WP3-WP4 Provide results (WP3) protocol and database for the recording of CAN cases WP(4) (13 th month) Provide information on the results for national statistical & child protection services WP5 Maintain the BECAN website Disseminate the Strategic Plan WP6

31. Potential content of an initial version of the Strategic Plan Part 1: The need & the aim of permanent National CAN Monitoring Systems –Why there is a need for permanent national CAN Monitoring Systems –Aim & Objectives Part 2: How to achieve the objectives –Technical specifications for following up CAN at a national level via »BECAN project’s available tools »Additional tools (proposed to be developed) Part 3: CAN-Registration Toolkit –ANNEX with a complete set of ready-to-use available tools (protocol, database, instructions) WP6

32. Activities towards feasibility Development of the Strategic Plan for the creation of a permanent CAN registration system Adaptation of the content of the initial version of the strategic plan for each country-specific characteristics and translation Dissemination/communication plan for the strategic plan (WP6 & WP5) Implementation of dissemination and lobbying for the strategic plan at national level Lobbying towards sustainability WP6

33. Evaluation Responsible Organization: Istituto degli Innocenti Objectives: Process monitoring, evaluation and corrective interventions Evaluation of achievement of the project’s main objectives Impact and outcome evaluation Results and progress insofar development of a comprehensive plan of constant monitoring and evaluation of the project; the strategy applied was multi-level, addressing the various aspects of the evaluation process: a combination of process and outcome evaluation approach utilizing indicators from both perspectives in order to cover the project’s implementation more globally, a combination of 5 major axis-criteria namely Efficiency, Effectiveness, Relevance, Sustainability/Consistency and Utility to be applied sequentially in regards to the project’s unfolding over time and a combination of input for evaluation, collaboration with the consortium, attending project meetings and communicating directly with other stakeholders to get as much genuine feedback as possible by the Evaluator WP7

34. Overall illustration of evaluation results DELIVERABLES Del. no. Deliverable name Versi on Lead beneficiary Nature Disse minati on level* Delive ry date from Annex I Actual / Forec ast delive ry date Status Submitted or Not Contract ual Yes/No 7.1Goal-setting schemeFinal01RCO Month 19 SubmittedYes 7.2.1 First Interim Evaluation Report Final01RCO Month 19 SubmittedYes (*) PU = Public PP = Restricted to other programme participants (including the Commission Services). RE = Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission Services). CO = Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the Commission Services). Milest one no. MILESTONES WP(s) involved Lead Benefici ary Delivery Date Means of VerificationAchiev ed Yes/No Actual/Forecast achievement date 51 st Interim evaluation report 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7 0113 th month Presented during the 3 rd managerial meeting (month 13) and delivered to the principal coordinator YesProject’s 13 th Month 6Mid-term project review to EC 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7,8 0118 th month Mid-term review delivered to the European Committee YesProject’s 19 th Month WP No.WP7Start Date or Starting EventMonth 1 WP Title Evaluation USE OF RESOURCES Activity TypeOTHER Participant number 12345678910 Person-Months per participant 93333333243 Actualized WP7s’ activities during the 1 st 18monhts’ Reporting Period Participant number 12345678910 Actualized Person-Months per participant 00000001,730 Differences between contractual provisos (36 months’) and actualized WM during the 1 st Reporting Period (18monhts’) -9-3 -22,27-3 WP7

35. Ethics Objectives Monitoring and evaluation of ethical issues, and corrective interventions Securing the rights of children and adults participating in the study Results: all partners formed their National Advisory Boards on Ethical issues (NAB) the Central Independent Ethical Advisory Board was formed to supervise the whole project in terms of ethics, with the participation of internationally recognized professionals and experts in the field of CAN research and prevention All NABs were provided with material and guidelines on ethical issues by the BECAN Coordinator and were informed in detail about the methodology as well as the ethical requirements of the project WP8

36. Informed consent: Example of main ethical issue Type of parental consent per age group Country 11 y.o.13 y.o.16 y.o. AlbaniaPassive BulgariaActive CroatiaActive No consent* RomaniaPassive No consent* TurkeyActive FYROMActive Active/Passive** SerbiaPassive B&HActive No consent* GreeceActive/Passive** (*) No parental consent provided for according to existing national legislation and/or applying national Code for Ethics of conducting research with children in schools. (**) Change in applying national legal framework and/or particular authoritative agency’s permission terms during the implementation of the survey. Field epidemiological survey: the situation appeared quite differentiated in terms of legal and/or regulatory provisos for conducting research involving children other perplexities WP8

37. BECAN Website & Forum www.becan.eu www.becan.eu