Helene Buchardt Brandt

I am a medical doctor and PhD-student at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University.

My research focuses on the prevention of child sexual abuse through identification of risk factors associated with first-time child sexual offending. By improving our understanding of these factors, we aim to support the development of evidence-based prevention strategies and early identification

The project combines perspectives from forensic medicine, epidemiology, psychiatry, criminology, and public health.

Violence against children is a widespread problem with severe and lasting consequences for victims, families, and society. My research aims to prevent child sexual abuse before it occurs by identifying factors associated with first-time child sexual offending. I map existing evidence on risk factors and investigate them using nationwide Danish registers. By combining evidence synthesis with population-based research, I aim to improve our understanding of pathways to offending and strengthen evidence-based prevention.

As a PhD-student, my primary focus is conducting research. This include mapping and synthesis of existing evidence, analyses of registry data, scientific writing, and dissemination of research findings.

In addition to my own PhD project, I contribute to collaborative research projects both internationally and within the department, and I supervise students conducting research projects. I am also involved in multidisciplinary collaborations across forensic medicine, psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology, and crimonology.