A duo-ethnographic exploration of co-producing sexual violence research with a victim-survivor academic

Gender-based violence in Australia is a critical issue, with rising rates of victimisation and fatalities. Co-production initiatives involving victim-survivors offer a promising approach for achieving translational research outcomes. This study examines the experiences encountered when co-producing research with an academic who discloses being a survivor of sexual violence during a project, which was externally funded. Drawing on duo-ethnography, this article provides insights into the academic’s disclosure of her lived experience of sexual violence to the research team and to the funders, and the validation of her lived experience. It also details how further harm through involvement in the project was reduced by applying a feminist ethic of care, resulting in the emergence of a safe and productive working relationship through trauma-informed practice. This study acknowledges that not every researcher has the privilege to disclose their lived experience of violence, and the development of researcher well-being guidelines for gender-based violence projects could promote a safer research practice environment for all researchers, while reducing the likelihood of re-traumatisation for those who may not have disclosed their victim-survivor status.