Multi-gender Attraction and Experiences of Interpersonal Violence

What is the study about?

You are invited to participate in a study of bi+ people’s experiences of interpersonal violence (including domestic, family, and sexual violence). Through this study, we hope to learn about bi+ experiences of interpersonal violence, its impact, and experiences of support services in relation to your experiences. This study will help identify existing gaps in interpersonal violence prevention and response for the bi+ community.

Do I have to participate?

Being part of this study is voluntary. If you want to be part of the study, we ask that you read the information below carefully and ask us any questions.

You can read the information below and decide at the end if you do not want to participate. If you decide not to participate this won’t affect your relationship with La Trobe University or any of the support organisations listed.

Who is being asked to participate?

You have been asked to participate because:

• You experience multi-gender attraction (including but not limited to bisexual, pansexual, biromantic, panromantic, polysexual, omnisexual, queer, fluid) or are questioning
• You have a past experience of interpersonal violence (for example domestic/family violence, sexual assault, intimate partner violence). For more information about what we mean by interpersonal violence and domestic, family, and sexual violence please visit: https://biplusrelationships.com/about-this-project/
• You are currently living in Australia

In order to participate in this study, you must be over the age of 18 and living in Australia. People of any gender can participate.

What will I be asked to do?

This project includes 3 phases.

Phase 1: Participants will be asked to fill out a screening questionnaire, which will take approximately 5-10 minutes.

Phase 2: The research team will contact participants to offer them a chance to take part in an interview with a postgraduate student researcher. Participants will be selected to maximise diverse experiences and backgrounds represented in the project. The first interview will take approximately 60 minutes and questions will explore experiences of interpersonal violence, its impact, and experiences with support services. All questions are optional. Participants will be sent their transcript and initial analysis so they can check its accuracy.

Phase 3: A follow up interview will be held with each of the participants to discuss the transcript and initial analysis of their interview. This participatory approach will allow participants to work with their own story, provide any additional information they think is important, and discuss any reflections they have had. The second interview will take approximately 30-45 minutes and be scheduled approximately 2 weeks after the first interview.

What are the benefits?

Your participation will help researchers identify unique experiences of the bi+ community in relation to interpersonal violence, its impact, and experiences with support services. This will help researchers and practitioners advocate for the bi+ community more effectively and according to community feedback.

The project’s expected benefit to society is contributing to the development of more inclusive and effective interpersonal violence prevention and response.

There are no expected benefits to participants for completing the brief demographic questionnaire. For those participate in the interviews, participants will have the opportunity to share their experience and have a voice reflected in a study about bi+ people’s experiences.

What are the risks?

With any study there are (1) risks we know about, (2) risks we don’t know about and (3) risks we don’t expect. If you experience something that you aren’t sure about, please contact us immediately so we can discuss the best way to manage your concerns.

We have listed the risks we know about below. This will help you decide if you want to be part of the study.

Potential Distress – You may feel some distress or discomfort, due to the topic of this study. If you feel distress or discomfort and would like to discuss with confidential services, you can contact:

What will happen to information about me?

By clicking on the 'next' button on this survey, this tells us you want to take part in the study and be contacted for an interview. We will collect information demographic information about you through the screening survey. This data will be stored through the online survey program REDcap. We will store your digital information about you in ways that will reveal who you are, until after four weeks when your identifiable information will be de-identified. The storage, transfer and destruction of your data will be undertaken in accordance with the Research Data Management Policy https://policies.latrobe.edu.au/document/view.php?id=106/

The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws. Subject to any exceptions in relevant laws, you have the right to access and correct your personal information by contacting the research team.

If you are selected for and complete an interview: De-identified information will be stored for 5 years after the project is completed. After 5 years, we will destroy all your data.

If you are not selected for an interview: You will be contacted to confirm that you have not been selected for an interview. The research team will ask if we can keep your email address (for up to 5 years) to update you on further related research projects. If we do not hear from you within 2 weeks, we will delete your contact information. Your demographic information from the screening survey will be deleted after we contact you to let you know you have not been selected for interview.

We may publish de-identified information about you in a Master’s Degree thesis, conference presentations, journal article or in future related projects conducted by Amber Loomis or other researchers involved in this project, in accordance with the La Trobe University Research Policy. In all instances, including publications, information about you will be de-identified.

Will I hear about the results of the study?

We will let you know about the results of the study by email. The researcher will send the transcripts of your interview sessions to you. We will ask you to review the transcripts and confirm they are an accurate record of your interview.

What if I change my mind?

You can choose to no longer be part of the study any time before or during the interview and within 4 weeks after the second interview. Simply call or email us to notify us that you with to withdraw. Your decision to withdraw at any point will not affect your relationship with La Trobe University or any of the support organisations listed in this form. When you withdraw, we will stop asking you for information. Any identifiable information about you will be withdrawn from the file. However, once your data have been de-identified, 4 weeks after your participation in the interview, we may not be able to identify and delete your answers from the group data that we compile.

Who can I contact for questions or want more information?

If you would like to speak to us, please use the contact details below:

What if I have a complaint?

If you have a complaint about any part of this study, please contact:

You have selected an option that triggers this survey to end right now.