Researching a sensitive topic with children: domestic abuse & child contact Fiona Morrison

Definitions Domestic Abuse Domestic abuse (as gender-based abuse), can be perpetrated by partners or ex-partners and can include physical abuse (assault and physical attack involving a range of behaviour), sexual abuse (acts which degrade and humiliate women and are perpetrated against their will, including rape) and mental and emotional abuse (such as threats, verbal abuse, racial abuse, withholding money and other types of controlling behaviour such as isolation from family or friends). (Scottish Executive, 2002) Contact Contact refers to the mechanisms that a non-resident parent uses to maintain personal relations and direct contact with a child.

Background Public and policy interest in separate & combined issues of domestic abuse and child contact Negative impacts of domestic abuse on children Contact is a site for post separation violence Recent changes made to Scottish child contact legislation Children’s perspectives on this issue missing

Research questions How do children experience and view contact? What factors do children think should be important when adults make formal and informal contact decisions? What perspectives do children have of legal proceedings and support services that deal with child contact? What implications do the findings have for concepts of children’s best interests and the role children have in making contact decisions?

The study A child centred and qualitative methodology 25 children aged years and their mothers. In-depth interviews with children will use a range of creative instruments to help explore their perspectives and experiences of contact. In-depth interviews with mothers will focus on the legal processes associated with contact and current contact arrangements.

Key ethical considerations 3 Cs and 3 Ds (Mullender et al 2002) – Consent – Confidentiality & Child protection – Distress & Damage – Danger

Methods Stages to children’s interview –Icebreaker: 2min interview –Definitions: What do you mean by that? –Attitudes: If I was in their shoes… –Own experiences: Keeping in touch with my dad –Best interests principle: Top tips

Dilemmas Research fatigue Insider / outsider role