A Commentary on Developing Guidance for Researching Domestic Abuse in LGBTQ+ Communities

Purpose This paper is a commentary that describes the development and content of guidance for researching Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ+) domestic abuse. The purpose of the guidance is to improve researchers’ understanding of, and encourage their reflection on, the context and pressures within which specialist LGBTQ+ domestic abuse services are operating. Methods The guidance was developed in response to and in conversation with services, practitioners and researchers in the field of LGBTQ+ domestic abuse in England and Wales. Results Six themes – research question; research methods; community and stakeholder engagement; ethical approval; data analysis; and reporting findings – are discussed in terms of relevance, appropriateness and research. Conclusion This commentary explores the development of ethical research practices guidance, focusing on researching domestic abuse in LGBTQ+ communities, including what this might mean for both researchers and those working in the field. It is intended to improve relationships between researchers and LGBTQ+ domestic abuse services and facilitate relevant knowledge production in this space.