Information Sheet

EHSREC2014_06_03

Participant Information Sheet

“An investigation into young adults' attitudes and perspectives of sexual abuse in Ireland”

Please Read Carefully Before Signing Informed Consent

Invitation to Participate:

We are inviting you to take part in a research study. This study is designed to explore the current attitude of young adults in Irish society today. This study is being conducted by Dr. Patrick Ryan and Eimear Flynn (MSc Psychological Science, postgraduate student) in the Department of Psychology.

What is my role?

If you consent to take part in this study, you will be asked to read a blog with information about sexual abuse in Ireland. You will be then asked to give your honest opinion on sexual abuse in Ireland today.

Can anyone take part?

Participation is open to students in the University of Limerick and young adults in Ireland aged between 18 and 25 years.

How long will participation take?

Your participation will take no longer than 30 minutes.

Voluntary participation:

Participation in this research is voluntary. You may decide to withdraw from this research at any time. Participants using a google account may delete their comments at any time. Other participants must contact the investigator, who will remove their comments.

What are the benefits and risks?

The researcher hopes that no individual will become distressed during this study. In the case that this may occur, relevant information will be provided such as help care lines.

What happens to the information?

Any information that we obtain from this study about you will be made anonymous and kept confidential.

Are there any other constraints?

There are no constraints.

Do I have to sign anything?

No.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please feel free to contact Eimear Flynn, 13046454@studentmail.ul.ie

If you have any concerns about this study and wish to contact someone independent you may contact:  Chairman Education and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee, EHS Faculty Office, University of Limerick, Tel (061) 234101.  ehsresearchethics@ul.ie

An investigation into young adults' attitudes of Sexual abuse in Ireland

We are inviting you to take part in a study about sexual abuse in Ireland. The current study is being conducted in the University of Limerick, by  Dr. Patrick Ryan and Eimear Flynn (MSc Psychological Science), in order to gather an understanding of why sexual abuse continues to occur at such an upsetting rate.  All details of the blog are included in the information sheet attached in the pages section of the blog or at the following link; Information Sheet.

If any individual finds the contents of the blog upsetting or may wish to talk to someone about the issues raised on the blog, the following services are available to you; the Rape Crisis Network; 091563676, the HSE adult counselling services, making contact with a local G.P.,samaritans; 116123 and college students can avail of the free student counselling services available in most colleges. I may also be contacted and my details are included in the information sheet attached. By agreeing to participate in this study, you are confirming you are over the age of 18. All comments will be monitored before publishing. All comments are anonymous.

The researchers are exploring the attitudes of young adults in relation to sexual abuse. Through the use of this blog, we hope to gain an understanding of people's views on the causes of abuse and in particular, why it still persists despite public knowledge and awareness.