From victimhood to sisterhood part II – exploring the possibilities of transformation and solidarity in qualitative research

Abstract

This paper will build on ‘From Victimhood to Sisterhood’, previously published in this journal; to answer some of the questions posed to and by the author relating to the complexities of being a practice-based/insider researcher. The paper provides a context to the inter-related practices of the author as a psychotherapist, a group facilitator and a doctoral researcher; with particular reference to her work (as both a practitioner and researcher) with women who have been sexually abused. The (potentially isolating) context of practising in an island community alongside stories of connection is offered within a frame of ‘solidarity’. Developing ideas from the first paper, which as a reflective piece, featured a first person, auto-ethnographic account of the author’s practice, this paper positions itself more firmly as aligned with research as social action.