Sailing into uncharted territory: Victim survivors’ perspectives on some of the tensions of engagement as partners in co-design research

Abstract

This article examines the experiences of victim survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence who participated as co-researchers in the WEAVERS lived experience co-design group at the University of Melbourne. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 15 members, the study identifies four key tensions in this form of engagement: Boundaries, referring to clarity around the purpose of participation and the level of personal disclosure; Representation, covering challenges in ensuring diverse voices are heard without overburdening individuals from marginalised groups; Reform, relating to frustration with the slow pace of systemic change; and Recognition, focusing on the need to better value and support lived experience as academic currency, including career pathways. The authors discuss how these tensions are being addressed within the group, such as self-reflection tools for members and researchers, and strategies to balance casual engagement with opportunities for sustained research careers. The paper contributes to understanding how to embed victim survivors in research teams safely and meaningfully, offering practical insights for others seeking to undertake co-designed research in domestic, family and sexual violence contexts.