The Our Voices University Network (OVUN) was established to facilitate links between academics around the world in order to develop and share knowledge about the prevention of and response to child sexual abuse and exploitation.

This briefing shares learning from the PhD student forum sessions that were held as part of OVUN. The briefing reflects what forum members have shared about:

• the tensions and challenges of doing doctoral research on child sexual abuse and exploitation (or related topics/other forms of harm)

• what they have valued about the forum

• what support needs they have which are not being met

It is hoped that the learning captured in this briefing will be of use to other PhD researchers and supervisors who are undertaking or supporting work in this field.