Ethical beginnings: Reflexive questioning in child sexuality research

Abstract

This paper presents my experience of taking up an area from counselling practice into research practice, and exploring a range of ethical questions. This section describes movement from identity as a counselling practitioner to a researcher identity, specifically noticing moments in which reflexivity in the practice of research have connections to experiences o f reflexivity in the practice of counselling. I explain the process of preparing and submitting my doctoral ethics application for approval and feedback. My application noted that, within this area of practice and research, this is a sensitive topic with potentially vulnerable participants, awareness of my positioning as a male researcher. A foundational value for me in this work has been an ethic of social justice, and a principle that research holds purpose in informing and developing counselling practice. Production of knowledge within this context of sensitive research calls upon a relational ethic of care (ref?) for participants' and researcher's potential vulnerabilities.