Research on the Disclosure of Sexual Violence: Ethical and Methodological Paths

This chapter presents the ethical and methodological challenges of research on sexual violence. After a historical review on violence against children and adolescents in Brazil, the norms and laws regarding ethics in research with human beings are presented. The acknowledgment of these documents is necessary, since they are important for basing ethical and methodological decisions to be made during the scientific process, initiated by the conception of the research proposal. After reflecting on the choice of the research problem—taking into account the specificities of the investigated population, and its risks and benefits—there arise challenges such as how to achieve the expected results, how to access potential participants, and how to assure their rights, bearing in mind the most adequate methodological process for the study, considering current ethical demands. Considering the complexity of the sexual violence theme and perspectives regarding the revealment of this experience, the formulation and carrying out of this research demand an ethical attitude to the methodological aspects. The relationship established between the researchers and participants might define the paths to the research. Hence, the field of scientific research in psychology in Brazil integrates the role of the researcher as a professor and professional practice for an ethical and socially responsible commitment, which involves for whom, about what and how the investigations are developed. It is pointed out that the legacy of the research is its results and how they will affect society, academia, politics, and, especially, the participants.