This Morning I’m A Researcher, This Afternoon I’m An Outreach Worker: Ethical Dilemmas in Practitioner Research

Abstract

The paper discusses the ethical dilemmas of conducting feminist participatory action research (O’Neill, M., 2001 O’Neill, M. 2001. Prostitution and Feminism, Cambridge: Polity Press. [Google Scholar]) on the links between local authority care and routes into selling sex whilst I was working for an outreach service for women in the sex industry. All of the women who participated in the research were women who were users of the service. As such the processes of access, maintaining follow up support and the vulnerability of women who disclosed experiences of care (but were primarily in need of professional intervention), were qualitatively different to those faced by external researchers. The research was supplemented by my knowledge of the women and yet was also hindered by my concern for the women as their support provider first and foremost; some women’s valuable stories remain untold. The paper goes on to show how resolution of the ethical dilemmas was an integral part of methodology design and implementation, and ultimately prioritising the women’s welfare was lent an added dimension by my dual role.