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.