The process of gathering information for the below research project has been completed. We are now collating the responses from 44 service providers, analysing the data and developing a final report. Thank you very much to everyone who participated.

Here at living well we recognise the value of quality support to people who have been subjected to childhood sexual abuse or sexual assault and to their partners, friends and family. We have initiated the below outlined research in order to establish a better picture of the types of services that are currently responding to men and their supporters and to identify what resources have been found to be useful. Please read the below important information prepared by the research team at the University of Queensland before clicking on the link and commencing the survey.

Research into the challenges of service provision to males to who have experienced childhood sexual abuse or sexual assault

Dear potential participant

Thank you for considering completing this survey as part of a research project to explore the reality of service provision for males who have experienced sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse. The project aims to explore the gendered or gender neutral aspects of service provision, along with any associated difficulties, unmet needs, or appropriateness. It is intended that this study will provide a basis for future research in the field.

The study has received clearance from the School of Social Science Ethical Review Committee in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines. The researchers undertaking this project Bianca Chaitowitz, Katharine Herron, Lauren Strong and Shashi van de Graaff are all students within the School of Social Science at The University of Queensland. They are represented by Dr Paul Henman and Dr Rose Melville of the School of Social Work and Applied Human Sciences. You are welcome to discuss your participation in this study with Shashi van de Graff on telephone number 0439706367, Dr Paul Henman on (07) 33651845, or Dr Rose Melville on telephone number (07) 33652741.

Participation in the research will involve about 20 minutes of your time to answer some questions on an online survey regarding the nature of service provision responding to males who have experienced sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse. The survey needs to be completed in one sitting.

Involvement in the research is voluntary No identifiable information will be requested or required throughout the survey. As such, once you have submitted your responses, we will be unable to withdraw or remove your responses. Your Internet Protocol (IP) address will also not be collected We will ensure that any potentially identifiable information you provide to us in the survey remains confidential an d will not be revealed to researchers, and will be removed prior to conducting data analysis.

The data will be confidential, subject to legal limitations. All data will be confidential and stored securely and will only be accessible by the research team. All data will be destroyed 5 years after it is first published.

You will not receive any direct benefits for participating in this study. There will be no reimbursement or compensation for participation. A final report will be developed for the university subject SOSC3201 Research, Planning and Design. It is also intended that the findings of the research project will be published online and involve a presentation at a community event during Sexual Violence Awareness Month in October 2009.

Terms and conditions

By clicking on the attached link below and completing the survey, you will be giving consent to the below detailed terms and conditions.

• I have been given clear information about the study, and understand what is required of me.
• I understand that my participation in this research will involve completing the following survey which will take approximately 30 minutes.
• I understand that once I have submitted my response, I will not be able to have my response withdrawn.
• I am aware that I may ask any further questions about the research study at any time.
• I agree that the researchers or research supervisor or industry partner has answered all my questions fully and clearly.
• I understand that the information provided will be confidential and stored securely and will only be accessible by the research team
• I understand that all data will be destroyed 5 years after it is first published.
• I agree that the research data gathered from this project may be published in a form that does not identify me in any way.
• I accept that although all efforts will be made to protect my privacy and confidentiality, this is subject to legal limitations.
• I understand that the findings of the research will be used in a research report for SOSC3201 Research, Planning and Design.
•  also understand that the research findings will be included in a poster presentation at a community event during Sexual Violence Awareness Month in October 2009, as well as at the University of Queensland School of Social Science poster presentation event.
• I acknowledge that I have read the Participant Information Sheet, which includes contact details of the Student researchers, the Ethics Officer at the University of Queensland, the Project Supervisors and the Industry Partner

Thank you for your assistance in agreeing to participate in this important research project.

Resource collection separate from the survey

In addition to sharing the results of this research, here at Living Well we are very interested in collecting, linking and making available resources that have been found to be useful when working with men who have experienced childhood sexual abuse or sexual assault and their supporters. Therefore, we would welcome you sending us any references, links or relevant material that you have found useful in the form of an email with an attached document to info@livingwell.org.au Thank you for your assistance.