Wish to return to an unfinished survey? PLEASE ENTER your code name here:
Thank you for visiting our web site. By participating in this research, you are making a valuable contribution. We, the researchers, appreciate your input, and thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts. Doing so will help to create a better understanding of these important issues. We understand that many of the questions we are asking you are very personal. We have been very careful to ensure that your complete anonymity and confidentiality is protected. We will not ask you for any details that would allow us to identify you in any way. We hope that this will help you to feel comfortable to answer the questions honestly.
If you feel distressed, please visit our Support Services section.
Primary Investigator:
Supervising Investigator:
If you are aged 16 years or older, you are invited to participate in this research project. This information section describes the project in straightforward language, or 'plain English'. Please read this section carefully and be confident that you understand its contents before deciding whether to participate. If you have any questions about the project, please contact one of the investigators. Following the instructions at the bottom of this page will enable you to access the survey.
Who is involved in this research project?
Andrea Stewart is conducting research examining trauma, violence, sexual abuse, and identity, as part of her doctoral thesis, in the School of Health Sciences at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. This research is being conducted under the supervision of Dr David Smith, and has received the approval of the RMIT Human Research Ethics Committee.
What is the project about? Why is it being conducted? Why me?
The project examines issues such as depression, conflict, domestic violence, and unwanted sexual experiences in childhood and adulthood - issues that constitute major problems in our community. In order to reduce such problems, better understanding is needed of how people from diverse communities may differ in their experiences of positive and negative life events. We are a small team of researchers committed to dispelling myths, and creating better understanding of, and services for individuals from diverse communities. If you feel strongly about the levels of depression, conflict, and domestic and sexual violence in your community, and are willing to give between 1 and 2 hours of your time, to complete this survey (in private), you will be making a valuable contribution to research examining mental health and trauma experiences. A principal policy underpinning this research is to be inclusive of marginalised groups traditionally underrepresented in research studies, in order to reduce the invisibility and silencing of issues confronting marginalised populations.
Are you heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, none of the above, confused, happy, or depressed? If you answered YES to any of these, you are able to make a unique contribution to this research. We are seeking to raise understanding of the experiences of a large number of males and females of all sexual orientations, and are dedicated to representing the voices of diverse communities in our research findings. We need both people that have experienced trauma, and those who have not (to form control groups). If you would like to contribute an opinion, whether or not you have experienced an unwanted sexual event, domestic violence, or harassment, or know someone who has, your input would be highly valued. As we are seeking a large number of participants, letting other people know about this research would also be most helpful, and much appreciated.
Speaking out takes courage but silence and invisibility allows such problems to continue. Your voice (and the voices of others) can make an important difference. Claim your right to speak out.
What are the benefits associated with participation?
Although your participation will not result in any immediate, direct benefit to you, it will contribute to current understanding of a range of serious problems across diverse social groups, providing information that can be used to effect positive changes in community attitudes, service provision, policies, and legislation.
If I agree to participate, what will I be required to do?
If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete an online survey (consisting of 9 sections, listed below). Some sections contain many personal questions, however, great care has been taken to protect your anonymity and confidentiality. If, on viewing the survey questions, you do not wish to participate, you may simply exit the website. If you prefer not to answer certain questions, you have the right to omit those questions, or to simply discontinue. Your answers cannot be recorded until you have clicked the CONTINUE buttons at the end of each page. However, once these buttons have been clicked, your answers can no longer be withdrawn, as they cannot be identified as yours. Section 10 provides you with referral details and information about where to obtain assistance if required. This section can be printed and retained for your use, and does not contain any questions.
Do I have to write a lot?
Absolutely not! Most of the questions are answered by merely clicking on a button. Sometimes you are asked for additional information, depending on your response, but long answers are not required. You do have the option to make additional comments if you wish.
What if I can't finish the survey in one session?
That's fine. You can complete the survey over several sessions if you like. As long as you use the same code name, you can re-enter the survey and continue from where you left off last time, as often as you like. The sections are submitted as you complete each one, so each piece makes a valuable contribution. (Please note: If you exit a section without clicking CONTINUE, the data from that section will be lost.)
How long will it take me to complete?
That's difficult to answer. This is a long questionnaire, because there are so many important things we would like to ask you. But the time it takes to complete will vary quite a lot depending on what life events you have experienced. Not all sections will apply to you. If they do not apply, you will be asked to SKIP to the next section. If you have many skips, you will progress relatively quickly through the questionnaire and might expect to complete the questionnaire in as little as 30 minutes. However, if most sections apply to you, it will take considerably longer. For example, if you are a victim/survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and also a victim/survivor of unwanted sexual events in adulthood, or if you have experienced other traumatic events, you will have considerably more to report than if none of these have happened to you. Some people may require several hours to complete the questionnaire. If this is your experience, you are able to complete the survey in sections. In other words, you can exit and re-enter at a later time to complete the survey, as long as you have remembered your code name. Your story is very important to us, and we appreciate your perseverance. We hope that you will complete the survey, and encourage you to take breaks as you need. You are welcome to add any comments/information or clarification at selected points in the questionnaire.
What are the risks associated with participation?
Many of the questions in the Tell Someone Project survey are very personal and focus on sensitive issues. Answering some questions may be difficult for you, and it is possible that you may feel uncomfortable or distressed as a result of your participation. It is important for you to be aware that the survey includes questions of a highly intimate, sexual, and private nature. These questions are presented in a direct manner. If you feel that you may become unduly confronted, embarrassed or discomforted by such material, then you should not participate in the research. You are welcome to examine all of the survey materials before making your decision as to whether you will participate.
If you are unduly concerned about any of your responses or feel distressed upon participation in the project, you should contact Andrea Stewart (Primary Investigator) or Dr David Smith (Supervising Investigator) using the contact details provided, as soon as convenient. Andrea Stewart or Dr Smith will sensitively and confidentially discuss any issues arising from participation, and suggest appropriate follow-up, if necessary. If you would like, Ms Stewart or Dr Smith are able to arrange a referral to a service specialising in relevant issues (e.g., trauma counselling, domestic violence services, gay/lesbian services). Alternatively, you are encouraged to make contact with relevant agencies to obtain assistance. You are able to access a range of confidential services (including 24 hour counselling, and other telephone, personal, and online services) via the contact details provided in Section 10 (go to SUPPORT SERVICES). All telephone services are anonymous, and calls to 1800 numbers do not appear on a telephone bill.
If you would like to provide feedback about the survey, you can do so by emailing tellsomeone@rmit.edu.au If you have an ethical issue or complaint about the survey, you can contact the Executive Officer, Research & Innovation Portfolio, RMIT, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne, 3001. The telephone number is (03) 9925 2251. Details of the complaints procedure are available from the above address.
What will happen to the information I provide?
Given the sensitive nature of this topic, every care has been taken to safeguard the anonymity and confidentiality of your responses. To preserve your anonymity, we ask you NOT to place your name, or any identifying information anywhere on the survey. Please note that in cases where specific information relating to activities that are dangerous to the public is supplied, the researchers would be obliged to notify appropriate authorities. It is therefore important that you do not provide your name, or the name of anybody else to the researchers. Your contact details have not been obtained, nor will they be, at any point. Your email address will be automatically deleted before access to your data is possible. Thus, none of the information you provide can in any way be linked back to you. Upon submission, your responses will be entered electronically into a group database, from which only group data will be reported or published. This database is password protected and managed within the guidelines applicable to the secure storage of all electronic data within RMIT University. Only the primary and supervising investigators will have access to this grouped data. In accordance with Human Research Ethics Committee guidelines, group data will be securely retained for a minimum of five years after publication, and then destroyed.
Research data will be collated and analysed in a student report, and research findings may be disseminated in edited publications, through conference presentations or media release, and utilised in the development of educational or prevention-based programs. Only group data will be used for research purposes and in any future research publication. Individual responses will not be reported at any point. You are welcome to view the results of the research, which will be available in December 2006, at http://weblearn.rmit.edu.au/tellsomeone/
Because of the nature of the data collection, we are not able to obtain written informed consent from you. Instead, we assume that you have given consent by your voluntary access of this website, and your completion and submission of the survey.
What are my rights as a participant?
You have the right to withdraw your participation at any time, without prejudice, and the right to have any questions answered at any time. If you choose to discontinue the survey, simply stop filling in your answers, and do not click the CONTINUE buttons at the end of each page, and the SUBMIT button at the end of the survey. Clicking these buttons sends your responses to the researchers (in sections), and no responses can be seen by the researchers until a button has been clicked. Once a button has been clicked, your responses have been submitted into the database, your information cannot be identified, and therefore cannot be withdrawn.
Who should I contact if I have any questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this research, you may discuss these confidentially with the primary investigator, Andrea Stewart (telephone: (03) 9925 7646 or email: tellsomeone@rmit.edu.au) or the supervising investigator, Dr. David Smith (telephone: (03) 9925 7523 or e-mail: david.smith@rmit.edu.au ) You are welcome to call anonymously or to use a fictional name.
What will I be asked about?
The questionnaire is divided into 10 sections as follows:
What if some sections don't apply to me? How will I know which sections to complete?
Please START EVERY SECTION , then follow the instructions to know where to SKIP. By reading all instructions carefully, you will know what to do. Often you will be asked a YES/NO question, and then you will be instructed to proceed or SKIP, depending on whether you ticked yes or no. Please DO NOT OMIT any section unless you have been instructed to skip . Instead, just follow the prompts, and remember, if you are not sure, just give us a call. We are here to help. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT NO QUESTIONS ARE LEFT BLANK, EXCEPT FOR THOSE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SKIP.
What if I don't understand the instructions or the questions?
You are most welcome to ring (anonymously) for advice on how to complete the questionnaire or with any other questions you may have. Please call Andrea Stewart (principal researcher) on (03) 9925 7646, or email her on tellsomeone@rmit.edu.au Feel free to use a fictional name.
How do I get started?
You can access the Tell Someone Project survey by clicking on the CONSENT button below, labelled "I Agree". In order to complete the Tell Someone Project survey, you will need to indicate your consent to participate in the research. Then you will be directed to the questionnaire. Please read each of the statements below, and tick each box by clicking your mouse in the box if you agree with the statement.
I acknowledge that:
If you have ticked each box, and wish to proceed, please click on the CONSENT button below, labelled "I AGREE". Your browser will then be directed to the survey. Please remember not to put your name, or the name of anybody else, on this questionnaire.
If you would like to keep a copy of the plain language statement (opens new window) you can save it as a PDF for your records.
Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader (opens new window) is required to view PDF files. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, you will need to download and install it.
Any complaints about your participation in this project may be directed to the Executive Officer, Research & Innovation Portfolio, RMIT, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne, 3001. The telephone number is (03) 9925 2251. Details of the complaints procedure are available from this address.