Recuittment of Ultra-Orthodox Male Survivuls of Sexual Abuse for Academic Study: Reflections and Insights

Abstract

This article discusses how I, as a female researcher, was able to do research in a field normally off limits to women ― male ultra-Orthodox society ― in which, moreover, the specific topic, the sexual abuse of boys, is taboo and surrounded by a strong “conspiracy of silence”. Despite the complexity of both the field and the topic, I was able to find and interview a sample of forty ultra-Orthodox victims of sexual abuse. The article describes the multi-channel approach I used to locate potential interviewees. It also introduces that modular typology I developed to facilitate the creation of an interview format appropriate to both the personal and the cultural needs of the interviewees. By using these two strategies, I was able to obtain maximum cooperation.