Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Violence against women (VAW) research is a sensitive topic, which has been conducted mainly using
face-to-face methods. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and restrictions on movement presented an opportunity to
conduct VAW research using remote methods. We discuss how we adapted methods, reflect on lessons learned, and
make recommendations highlighting key considerations when conducting remote research on a sensitive topic of
VAW.
METHODS: We designed and conducted an exploratory qualitative study using remote methods with 18 men and 19
women, aged 18 years and older, who lived with their partner or spouse during lockdown in South Africa. The aim
of the study was to explore experiences of COVID-19 lockdown, and its link to women and children’s experiences
of violence in the homes. Data presented in this paper draws from researchers’ reflections drawn from debriefing
sessions during the research process, and from participants’ interview transcripts.
FINDINGS: Remote recruitment of participants took longer than anticipated, and we had to re-advertise the study. We
could not ensure safety and privacy during interviews. Regardless of all the safety and privacy measures we put in
place during the research process, some participants had an adult person present in the room during interviews, and
the researchers had no control over interruptions. Rapport was difficult to establish without an in-person connection,
which limited disclosure about violence experience (amongst women) and perpetration (amongst men).
CONCLUSIONS: Given the methodological and ethical challenges which limited disclosure of VAW remotely, we
conclude that telephone interviews used in our study impacted on the quality of study data. Therefore, we do not
recommend VAW research to be conducted remotely, unless it is essential and participants are already known to the
interviewer and trust has been established.
