Which of the following is a core ethical consideration when recruiting and collecting data from IPV survivors?

• A. Informed consent
• B. Coercive incentives
• C. Public disclosure of participants' identities
• D. Withholding support resources

Answer: (A)

Informed consent is the foundational safeguard because it centers autonomy and safety for IPV survivors. It means giving clear, understandable information about what the study involves, including aims, procedures, potential risks and benefits, how data will be protected and used, and the participant’s rights to decline or withdraw at any time without penalty. In this context, the consent process must be conducted in a private, safe setting with language that the person can easily understand, and it should be assessed as ongoing—because a survivor’s situation can change and re-traumatization or safety concerns may arise.

Coercive incentives undermine voluntary participation by pressuring someone to take part, so they don’t belong in ethical recruitment. Public disclosure of participants’ identities would breach confidentiality and could put them at serious risk. Withholding support resources, while harmful, addresses a different ethical failure; the core requirement here is ensuring that consent to participate is truly voluntary and informed, with appropriate safety considerations and data protections in place.