The role of arts-based methods in supporting safe and participatory research addressing sexual violence with young people

Camille Warrington
,
Kristine Langhoff
,
Becky Warnock

Safer Young Lives Research Centre (SYLRC)
,
Institute of Applied Social Research (IASR)
,
University of Sussex
,
University of the Arts London

Research Output:

Contribution to journal

Article

Peer-review

Open access

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 5 Gender Equality
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Abstract

Background: The use of participatory visual methods in humanities, health, education and social science research to study ‘sensitive’ subject matter with children and young people is growing. Such approaches have been widely – though sometimes uncritically – celebrated for contributing to safe data elicitation, promoting participant influence and strengthening research dissemination and impact. Some authors have pointed to their political contributions – challenging the traditional politics of representation and fostering critical consciousness and thinking. Methods: This article explores these claims, reflecting on a study using creative and participatory methods to explore the concept of ‘resistance’ among young people affected by sexual violence. It begins by outlining the background, rationale and use of creative methods in the project, moving from plans to utilise ‘Photovoice’ methods to a more diverse and responsive set of creative methods. Findings: The paper presents evidence for the contribution of such methods to creating safety and fostering participation while developing new conceptual thinking among researchers and participants. Conclusion: In this project, the success of creative methods is rooted in the dynamics of what we term spaciousness and playfulness which support dialogical practice. These dynamics are critical to enabling a safe participatory culture that bridges divides between stakeholders of different status, identity and ownership.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:

Contribution to journal

Article

Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 385-398 (14 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Health Education Journal (Volume 84, Issue 4)

Publication milestones

Published - 08/12/2024

Publication status

Published - 08/12/2024

ISSN

0017-8969

Publication IDs

handle.net: 10547/626667
Scopus: 85211352509

Access to documents

10.1177/00178969241299750

warrington-et-al-2024-the-role-of-arts-based-methods-in-supporting-safe-and-participatory-research-addressing-sexual.pdf

Final published version, 634.04 KB

License:CC BY

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00178969241299750

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