Ethical Considerations in Research Involving Street

What is it about?

Street-connected youth represent one of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations globally, facing severe risks including homelessness, exploitation, trauma, and social exclusion. Conducting ethical research with these young people is essential to inform effective policy and practice, yet it also poses significant ethical challenges. This chapter offers a comprehensive exploration of these challenges, integrating international literature, ethical frameworks, and a detailed analysis of a landmark study conducted in Georgia. Drawing from principles such as autonomy, beneficence, and justice, the paper discusses how these must be adapted to the realities of street life. Particular attention is paid to consent processes in contexts where parental permission is not feasible or appropriate, highlighting evolving capacity frameworks and tools like the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research (MacCAT-CR). The Ethical Research Involving Children (ERIC) framework is introduced as a child-centered, justice-oriented model that emphasizes flexibility, participation, and local responsiveness. The chapter then examines a multiphase, mixed-method study conducted in Georgia between 2018 and 2020 with street-connected youth aged 10–19. This study is presented as a model of ethical localization, applying international standards within Georgian legal, social, and institutional contexts. Unique practices included context-sensitive consent protocols, trauma-informed interviewing, and the integration of psychosocial referrals into the research design.

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Why is it important?

street children

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