Social Inclusion Through Trauma- and Violence-Informed Research: A Focus on Survivors of Violence

Abstract

Trauma- and violence-informed research represents an approach to knowledge production that acknowledges how research can propagate harm and that attempts to protect against further harm. Trauma- and violence-informed research recognizes that participants may be affected by violence, victimization, marginalization, exclusion, and other traumatic experiences. All aspects of the research are designed in a way that does not re-traumatize the research participants but actively promotes their healing, social inclusion, and participation in research design. This chapter includes examples of why trauma and violence are significant considerations for how research is conducted in Canada. Some of these examples are of research which has caused trauma and contributed to social exclusion, such as research performed on rather than with Indigenous peoples, many of whom are survivors of physical, sexual, emotional and state violence, and trauma. Other examples illustrate the potential for more inclusive research practices. A focus on trauma- and violence-informed research goes beyond avoiding the traumatization of participants through insensitive methodologies. It is rooted in respect for, and work with, survivors of trauma and is most often led or co-led with survivors themselves. Trauma- and violence-informed research is appropriate for any population having experienced physical, sexual, psychological, social, or other trauma, such as refugees, frontline responders or others with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), persons from LGBTQ+ communities, Indigenous peoples, racialized populations, and other populations having experienced trauma and/or social exclusion.