Involving Children and Young People in Research on Domestic Violence and Housing

Abstract

This article argues that a lack of research on domestic violence which engages with children and young people has led to a paucity of effective service provision for such young people. Methodological issues and ethical concerns involved in conducting research on sensitive topics such as domestic violence, together with presumptions relating to the social status of children in society, have limited the amount of empirical research which engages with this vulnerable group. The article discusses such issues in light of the experience of conducting a 12‐month child‐focused project. The importance of ascertaining children's views is demonstrated through new and important housing‐related findings that were identified by the young people interviewed during this project.

Keywords:

• Direct Involvement
• Consultation
• Needs
• Housing
• Refuges
• Children and Young People
• Domestic Violence
• Methodology
• Service Provision

Acknowledgements

I am grateful for the support of my colleagues Helen Stalford and Fiona Beveridge at The University of Liverpool, Liz Flood at The Countryside Agency, Ben Lewing and Faye Hall at Save the Children UK, during the course of the research project. I thank the many children, young people and service providers who gave their valuable time to participate in this research. I also thank the reviewers and editors who gave such constructive and encouraging advice on this article. This article is dedicated to all children who experience domestic violence.

Notes

1. Save the Children UK trained the research team to use other appropriate methods for conducting research with children and young people, such as substitute dolls (although this method was not used in the actual research).

2. Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Health Authority [1986] AC 112.