Kieran McCartan, Alice Foster-Metcalf
Practical Approaches to Child Sexual Abuse prevention across the EU
Workshop Abstract
A scoping study of 54 countries was completed as part of the EU Horizon funded prevent to protect through support project (2PS). The workshop will talk about what a public health appach to CSA prevention is, what secondary prevention is, the scale and scope of it across Europe.
The session will discuss the current evidence base and how fit for purpose it is. The session will end with recommendations for moving forward and the changes that need to be made in policy and research to help developments in practice.
Childhood Sexual Violence (CSV) is a pervasive issue that requires scalable, sustainable solutions. Yet achieving impact at scale, expanding reach while addressing root causes, remains a major challenge.Despite growing demand for guidance, there’s little research on how organisations successfully scale prevention efforts.
CSV prevention is often seen as too complex, sensitive, or hard to measure.Spring Impact, in partnership with Oak Foundation, published Preventing Child Sexual Abuse at Scale: What it Takes, challenging this assumption. Drawing on the experiences of 17 organisations across the UK and Europe, the report shows how CSV prevention is moving from isolated projects to system-wide change; through public system integration, cross-sector partnerships, and long-term strategies to build readiness. It provides concrete examples of scaling across borders, health systems, and governments.
For practitioners, funders, and policymakers, the report offers actionable insights, practical guidance, and a clear demonstration: CSV prevention is urgent - and achievable at scale. In the workshop, Spring Impact will present key findings alongside real-world case studies. Participants will engage in interactive discussion and Q&A to reflect on lessons and explore practical applications.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to: Understand Key Scaling Pathways: Discover strategies used to scale CSV prevention. Identify Enablers and Barriers: Recognise critical success factors and common challenges. Engage in Reflective Discussion: Share insights and strategies with peers. Apply Case Studies to Their Work: Learn lessons from organisations successfully scaling CSV solutions.
About the Speakers
Kieran McCartan, Ph.D. is a Professor of Criminology and Health at the University of the West of England, Bristol.
Kieran has an extensive research and publication track record going back over 20 years on understanding and responding to sexual abuse, as well as trauma informed practice and criminal justice workforce development.
Kieran has advised many national and international governments as well as organisations. Kieran is the Chair elect of National Organisation for the Treatment of Abuse (NOTA), the chair of the working group on VAWG for CEP and a member of the board of the Risk Management Authority, Scotland.
Alice Metcalf is a Senior Manager at Spring Impact, where she leads complex, multi-stakeholder projects to help mission-driven organisations design strategies that achieve impact at scale.
Since joining Spring Impact in 2019, Alice has delivered expert consultancy to over 30 non-profits and social enterprises across Europe, Africa, and Asia. She specialises in developing ambitious scale strategies, leveraging Lean Innovation methodologies to test, learn, and de-risk approaches.
While her experience spans diverse geographies and sectors, Alice has particular expertise in working within Sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition to her consulting work, Alice leads Spring Impact’s research and insights function. She spearheaded the creation of the landmark ‘Who Pays for Scale’ study and continues to generate and share practical insights on what it takes to achieve sustainable impact at scale.
Prior to joining Spring Impact, Alice worked at the International Secretariat of Penny Appeal, a global poverty relief organisation operating across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. There, she supported international offices in implementing the charity’s global strategy and facilitated its expansion efforts.
Alice holds a BA in Geography and History and an MA in Global Urban Justice from the University of Leeds.