Intersections of Women as Survivors: Disclosures of Violence and Global Research Standards in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago

Ruth Rodney (), Sireesha Bobbili, Gabrielle Hosein and Emmanuelle Cummings
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Ruth Rodney: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Sireesha Bobbili: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
Gabrielle Hosein: Gender and Development Studies, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Emmanuelle Cummings: Information Management Practitioner Consultant, Toronto, ON M1V 2B2, Canada

Social Sciences, 2022, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Global guidelines on VAWG research prioritize safety-first approaches to discuss experiences of violence with survivors. Guidelines recommend that survivors only be interviewed in confidential and private interviews. However, little is known about why and how women choose to disclose experiences of violence in focus group settings. Utilizing survivor quotes and reflexive notes from the qualitative components of the first national prevalence surveys on VAWG in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, we reflect on women’s decisions to disclose experiences of violence in focus groups. Our results illustrate that women’s choice to speak out about previous experiences of violence and in some cases, irrespective of the guidelines provided for focus group discussions, aligns with the unapologetic nature of Caribbean feminist organizing in the region. Identifying as a survivor of gender-based violence holds different meanings for women based on when the relationship occurred and the sense of insight and empowerment they gained and therefore guides which information and where women feel comfortable disclosing. Researchers should ensure safety-first approaches are followed and also support women who choose to disclose experiences of violence outside of confidential interviews. Focus groups can be areas where women disclose violence and should be addressed through preparation rather than as an error in ethical research practices.

Keywords: violence against women; survivors disclosure; feminist research methodologies; Caribbean; qualitative research; focus groups (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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