An overview of the project

This Participant Information Sheet tells you about this research project focusing on intimate partner violence (IPV) used and experienced by young people, and Australian service responses. Knowing what is involved in the research will help you decide if you want to take part.  

The project is being led by the Centre for Innovative Justice (CIJ) RMIT University. . It is delivered in partnership with Drummond Street Services’ Centre for Family Research and Evaluation (CFRE), and the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).

The study involves multiple components. You can find more information about the study, and other ways you can participate by following this link The IVY Study.

This participant information sheet only refers to the component being undertaken by AIFS. This component involves a national survey of service professionals.

Please read this information carefully.

Project information

Previous research has established a significant lack of evidence in Australian services responses regarding the use of IPV by young people.  

The aim of this research project is to better understand:

• the use and experience of IPV among young people,  
• where and how this cohort is engaging with services,  
• the types of services they are engaging with, and  
• whether this is addressing their service needs. 

The study involves multiple components.

You are invited to participate in this survey!

We invite all professionals who:

• deliver services to young people who use or have used or experienced IPV, or
• who refer to these service providers delivering services to young people who used or experienced IPV

Examples of relevant services include (but are not limited to) domestic and family violence professionals, Men’s Behaviour Change Programs professionals, youth, mental health, alcohol and other drug (AOD), sexual assault, homelessness and other service settings where IPV amongst young people may be identified.  

About this survey  

The aim of the survey is to assess professionals’ views on:  

• Who is visible to the service system as using or experiencing IPV in younger cohorts?
• What behaviours or experiences are and are not being identified as IPV or associated risk factors?
• When and in what contexts are these behaviours or experiences occurring?
• When and where are these behaviours or experiences being identified by the service system?
• What are the barriers to identification of these behaviours or experiences and why do these barriers exist?

It will help improve our understanding of how services are responding to younger people who use or experience IPV. It will in turn inform future policy development, research priorities and service delivery models.

How to participate

If you would like to participate, please use the link above. Completing the survey questions will take approximately 30 minutes.  

Most questions in this survey will ask you to select a response from the options provided. There are a small number of questions that allow you to provide a comment.   We need many responses to capture a wide range of experiences.  You can choose not to answer questions and skip to the next question or section. You can also use the "Go back" button if you wish to change any of your answers.

Your privacy and confidentiality  

We take your privacy and personal security seriously and safeguards are in place to protect it.  

Data collected in this research will be held securely in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and AIFS' privacy policy.  

Participation in this survey is confidential and completely voluntary.  

Your decision to participate is confidential and you are free to stop the survey at any time, to not answer any questions and to delete your answers prior to submitting your responses.

You may cease participation at any time, up until the submission of your responses. As surveys are to be completed by participants without the provision of any personal identifiers, it will not be possible for the research team to identify specific survey records for deletion at the request of a participant once they have been submitted.

You are asked to participate anonymously. No identifying data is requested in this survey and participants are asked NOT to include any identifiable information in their survey responses. Any identifiable information will be deleted from the survey responses so that it is deidentified and anonymised.  

Data storage and security

Data collected in this project will be securely stored on the AIFS Cloud services and retained indefinitely as anonymised data at AIFS in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and AIFS' privacy policy . Access to collected data will only be permitted for authorised researchers and required AIFS staff. The information you provide will not be used in any way that may identify you.   The data obtained in this survey may be used for future research to contribute to policy development. If this occurs, the data will be anonymised.

What are the potential risks?

It may be upsetting to reflect on the circumstances you have encountered IPV amongst young people within your professional role. We have listed the contact details for some supports at the end of this sheet. Contact details for support services are also provided at the start and end of the survey.

Contacts

The research is being managed by the Institute’s Family Law, Family Violence and Elder Abuse Research Team. The AIFS Human Research Ethics Committee has reviewed this research. Concerns and complaints relating to the project ethics may be directed to the AIFS Ethics Committee Secretariat via [email protected].  

If you are not satisfied with our handling of your problem or complaint, you can make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

If you would like any more information, please call the Australian Institute of Family Studies on 1800 720 142 or email us on [email protected].

About the Australian Institute of Family Studies  

The Australian Institute of Family Studies is based in Melbourne. It is an independent statutory agency, established by the Australian Government in 1980 and aims to help in the development of better policies for the future of Australian families. More detailed information can be obtained from our website.

Getting help

We are unable to provide advice or to assist with specific concerns in relation to individual matters. However, these contacts may be able to provide support:

• Call 13YARN (13 92 76) to speak with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter, available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
• Contact QLife an anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral service on from 3pm to midnight every day on 1800 184 527 or via webchat at www.qlife.org.au
• Contact the National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service for 24/7 information or support about domestic and family violence. Phone 1800 737 732 (1800 Respect) or www.1800respect.org.au.
• Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) provides support, information and referrals to anyone experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, or who is experiencing a difficult time. You may call any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is online chat between 3pm and 12midnight (AEST), 7 days a week.  
• Lifeline – (13 11 14) provides crisis support and suicide prevention services to anyone experiencing a personal crisis. You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is also an online Crisis Support Chat between 7pm and 12 midnight (AEDT), 7 days a week
• Call 000 if you are worried about your safety, or the safety of another person.