Ethical Challenges when Interviewing Women Victims of Domestic Violence.

Domestic violence against women is a very sensitive topic that needs to be addressed

with compassion, confidentiality, and respect for the survivors. According to a report from

the World Health Organization from 2016 ()1 in 3 (35%) women worldwide have

experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual

violence in their lifetime. (Organization, 2016). Violence negatively affects a womens

physical and psychological state, and the probabilities of battered women to come forward

and report the abuse are slim considering that they are putting at risk not only their lives

but the lives of their children. This is why it is extremely important to follow ethical

guidelines like beneficence, safety, and confidentiality and also to conduct and adequate

risk assessment to ensure the safety of the survivor before conducting the interviews,

preventing risks of homicide, suicide or an escalation of the violence in case the abuser

realizes that information has been disclosed.

The World Health Organization establishes a set of suggestions to minimize harm to

women participating in the research which includes, but are not limited to:

Interview only one woman per household.

Dont inform the wider community that the survey includes questions on

violence.

Dont interview men about violence in the same households or clusters where

women have been asked about violence.

Interviews should be conducted in complete privacy.

Dummy questionnaires may be used if others enter the room during the

interview.
 End the interview on a positive note that emphasizes a womans strengths.

(Ellsberg& Heis, 2005)

Research about domestic violence against women also involves appropriate training

of the staff involved in the study. Ensuring the safety of the participant as well as their

privacy and confidentiality are the primary ethical concerns. It is imperative to follow

established protocols to avoid victimizing again the women participating in the research.

Reply

Considering the sensitive nature of the interview and research, I agree that confidentiality and
trust are essential to establish rapport and to obtain information for the study. Reluctance to
share their stories for fear of repercussions if the abuser realizes that she is disclosing
information about their relationship, is very common. It is imperative to give them a sense of
trust, safety and also emphasize their strengths, elements that are not part of their daily
environment. Before the beginning of the interview the women need to be aware of the
purpose of the study, be willing to participate, and give their consent.

UGGESTIONS FOR MINIMIZING HARM TO WOMEN PARTICIPATING IN RES

References
Ellsberg, M., & Heis , L. (2005). Retrieved September 24, 2017, from Researching Violence
Against Women A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR RESEARCHERS AND ACTIVISTS:
http://www.path.org/publications/files/GBV_rvaw_complete.pdf
Health, D. o. (2012). PUTTING WOMEN FIRST: Ethical and Safety Recommendations for
Research on Domestic Violence Against Women. Retrieved 2017, from
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/65893/1/WHO_FCH_GWH_01.1.pdf
Organization, W. H. (2016, November). Violence against women: Intimate partner and sexual
violence against women. Retrieved September 24, 2017, from World Health
Organization : http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/