Sense and Sensitivity: Reflections on Qualitative Interviews with People who Experienced Adversity and Harm

Tinneke Van Camp

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Chapter 20 Sense and Sensitivity: Reflections on Qualitative Interviews with People who Experienced Adversity and Harm

In: Handbook on Methods in Restorative Justice Research

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Tinneke Van Camp

Tinneke Van Camp
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 433–457

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004729827_022

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Abstract

Respondents in qualitative interviews on trauma-related topics are prompted to revisit unpleasant and potentially upsetting memories. This, however, is not necessarily a reason to avoid doing qualitative interviews on these topics or with people who have lived through adversity, including victims who participated in a restorative intervention to address the harm that resulted from the crime they experienced. The literature reveals that people who choose to participate in such interviews report that, while it was painful to talk about their adverse experiences, they also found it validating and helpful. This concurs with what victims of crime have reported with regards to their voluntary participation in restorative justice interventions: while recounting their experiences or entering into a restorative encounter can be stressful and uncomfortable, it has also been described as valuable or cathartic. In this chapter, I draw on researchers’ reflections on the benefits of participation in qualitative interviews on trauma-related topics, following which I present parallels between appreciation of participation in qualitative interviews on trauma-related topics and participation in restorative interventions by victims of crime. Collectively, this comparison demonstrates that, similar to restorative facilitators having to be trauma-informed in their work with participants, in order for restorative interventions to be helpful, qualitative interviewers must be mindful of the strain that respondents may feel when recounting harmful experiences, in order to minimise distress and unlock the potential of qualitative interviews to be beneficial. These reflections also indicate that both restorative interventions that actively involve victims of crime and qualitative interviews offer an important opportunity for victims to share their story, which victims who choose to participate find meaningful.¹

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Handbook on Methods in Restorative Justice Research

Series: Monographs and edited collections, Volume: 8/M-5 and Studies in Restorative Justice, Volume: 8/M-5

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004729827

Publisher:: Brill | Nijhoff

Print Publication Date:: 08 Dec 2025

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Chapter 20 Sense and Sensitivity: Reflections on Qualitative Interviews with People who Experienced Adversity and Harm

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