I was alarmed to read the lead article on issues concerning the safety of social science researchers. This is an issue that I, and colleagues, have long been concerned about, particularly since the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh during an unaccompanied site visit.
About 12 years ago, I led a group of the Social Research Association that formulated a detailed code of safety for researchers covering the interests of both researchers and researched. This sits alongside the SRA's code of ethics and can be found at www.the-sra.org.uk/staying_safe.htm . It was formulated for precisely the sorts of reasons outlined in your article.
It is disappointing that so many social researchers appear unaware of it. Managers, researchers and research commissioners need to make it as much part of their process as the now familiar codes of ethics.
Gary Craig
Hull University