Remote methods for research on violence against women and children: lessons and challenges from research during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Collecting data to understand violence against women and children during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to inform violence prevention and response efforts. Although researchers across fields have pivoted to remote rather than in-person data collection, remote research on violence against women, children and young people poses particular challenges. As a group of violence researchers, we reflect on our experiences across eight studies in six countries that we redesigned to include remote data collection methods. We found the following areas were crucial in fulfilling our commitments to participants, researchers, violence prevention and research ethics: (1) designing remote data collection in the context of strong research partnerships; (2) adapting data collection approaches; (3) developing additional safeguarding processes in the context of remote data collection during the pandemic; and (4) providing remote support for researchers. We discuss lessons learnt in each of these areas and across the research design and implementation process, and summarise key considerations for other researchers considering remote data collection on violence.

Ethical reporting of research on violence against women and children: a review of current practice and recommendations for future guidelines

“…Case studies and learning from practice can help ensure ethical guidance is relevant, complete, logistically feasible and appropriate for new modalities and contexts of data collection. For example, a study reflecting on practical lessons from eight studies collecting data on VAW/VAC during COVID-19 in Brazil, Britain, Kenya, Nepal, Uganda and Zimbabwe suggests that several factors were critical in successfully redesigning studies 9. First, strong existing research partnerships were essential, with teams who were experienced in collecting sensitive data and had existing contact and rapport with participants and local referral structures.…”

“…For example, a study reflecting on practical lessons from eight studies collecting data on VAW/VAC during COVID-19 in Brazil, Britain, Kenya, Nepal, Uganda and Zimbabwe suggests that several factors were critical in successfully redesigning studies. 9 First, strong existing research partnerships were essential, with teams who were experienced in collecting sensitive data and had existing contact and rapport with participants and local referral structures. Second, it was necessary to adapt data collection strategies, with most studies pivoting to remote modalities and modifying consent and privacy protocols.…”

“…In addition, shut-downs and reductions in service provision of violence and social services added complications, particularly for assuring the quality of, and continuous access to, referral services and for implementing response measures for adverse events 8. Research teams were forced to choose between collecting violence data with women and children in ethically challenging and uncertain contexts or opting to forgo primary data collection altogether 9…”

“… 8 Research teams were forced to choose between collecting violence data with women and children in ethically challenging and uncertain contexts or opting to forgo primary data collection altogether. 9 …”

Reflections on the process, challenges, and lessons learned conducting remote qualitative research on Violence against women during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in South Africa

“…Qualitative research was important to capture the lived experiences and meanings of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown for families [ 6 , 7 ]. Conducting VAW research during COVID-19 was essential to inform violence prevention and response interventions at the time, and for future pandemic preparedness [ 8 , 9 ]. Asking women to share their experiences during lockdown was crucial in order to gain insights and inform design of responsive policies, services, and programmes [ 9 ].…”