Researching actual or purported sexual contact between teachers and students raises many difficult ethical issues, questions and dilemmas, which may help to explain why few have ventured into the field. This experientially based paper addresses key problem areas under the headings of: the ethics of researching a sensitive taboo topic; the ethics of challenging normative notions and master narratives around child abuse and protection; obtaining ethical clearance to study teachers, pupils and sex; ethical issues related to giving voice to teachers considered or alleged to have committed sexual offences against students; and ethical issues around the protection and re-presentation of research participants. The paper considers the difficulties faced when seeking to conduct critical transformative ethical ethnographic research which is committed to child protection, whilst challenging practices and legislation which can lead to the perpetration of serious social injustice against teachers. (Contains 3 notes.)