Que(e)ry-ing the nexus of vulnerabilities: the sensitive nature of research into LGBTQ+ and CALD survivor experiences of intimate partner violence

Alex Workman, Angela Dwyer and Tony Rossi

Chapter 29 in Handbook of Sensitive Research in the Social Sciences, 2025, pp 435-446 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Researching vulnerable populations often presents numerous challenges that researchers may not always be aware of. This chapter discusses such issues as the static nature of a person's identity, how history influences meaningful participation, and issues such as institutional safeguards that hinder social change. This chapter hopes to guide future researchers on ways to improve community responses by focusing on genuine allyship by reflecting on the sensitivities of two communities. Some of the critical challenges identified stem from the positionality of the researcher, being a ‘researched’ subject, the nature of the research topic, and the historical implications of how institutions have pathologised LGBTQ+ and CALD people. Further to this, there is a clear influence of how being criminalised and the contemporary persistence of the idea that ‘queer-equals-deviant,’ and merely walking and talking as a person of colour, may be considered criminalising. The sensitivity of doing research for these two communities is compounded by their invisibility in intimate partner violence discourse. Notably, the exclusion of diverse experiences may present challenges that further exacerbate the sensitivities of doing meaningful research for social change and inclusion. While there are many other challenges such as the risk of protecting their identity, the risks of reliving the traumatic experience, and the legitimacy of people's intentions after the research has been made public, sensitive research of this nature must occur to ensure that care is given to those who also need assistance.

Keywords: LGBTQ+; CALD; Intimate partner violence; Sensitive research; Vulnerable people (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035315222
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