Expression of Interest

What you will be asked to do

I am inviting you to participate in a series of individual interviews or focus groups about your experiences as a sex worker. You have been invited because sex workers already know what they need and I would greatly appreciate your views and opinions about how to make sex work safer. Also towards the end of the session I would like to get your feedback on some prototypes of some potential solutions I have started to develop. 

These individual interviews or focus groups will include sensitive questions pertaining to your sex work including: business practice and methods, life circumstances, triggering circumstances at work, your health, your social connections, experiences of stigma, discrimination or marginalisation, and how you experience safety or danger. Rest assured, your contribution is voluntary and your anonymity will be protected (as expanded upon below). 

How will it work

First you will be asked to complete this online form that includes your working name, the ways you engage in sex work, some general information and contact details. You will also be asked about your session preferences such as one on one interview vs a group sessions; online vs in person.  

Based on your responses I will then schedule a time/date that best suits you as well as share some sample warm up questions of what to mentally prepare for in the interview. 

Ahead of the session, I will ask you to sign a consent form and indicate orally that you have read and understood the information provided here and consent to participate

The sessions will be moderated by myself and I will be recording notes and audio for research purposes only. Depending on the format you choose: 

Focus groups will be 2 hours online and/or in-person in Melbourne. Groups will consist of five participants who will be assigned a code so you won’t have to use your name. In face to face meetings you will be asked to respect social distancing requirements and facemasks will be available.

•                             When participating in the group consultations, all participants will be asked to be respectful of the other participants and not disclose anything about them afterwards.
•                             You will be reimbursed $120 for your participation and contributions and $20AUD if you traveled over 30 minutes each way to in-person consultations.. 

Interviews: Individual consultations will be 90min online, over the phone or in-person in Melbourne (based on your preferences).

•                             You will be reimbursed $100 for your participation and contributions and $20AUD if you traveled over 30 minutes each way to in-person consultations.

I will be trying to incorporate as much diversity as possible. For example, there might be a group of online-content workers, a group of private workers, and a group of brothel workers. I will also try to ensure that diversity in age, length of time in the industry, gender, cultural background and level of ability etc. are captured.

How will my information be used?

Please be assured, all the information collected will be used for research purposes only. None of your personal details will be disclosed and will be held strictly confidential according to the Code of Professional Behaviour set out by the Research Society and the Privacy Act.

Information gathered in these consultations will be analysed and used to:

• Inform the design and function of an innovative solution to make sex work safer; 
• Illustrate the concerns and barriers that sex workers face;
• Describe how sex workers engage and operate their business;
• Demonstrate the need for this solution with stakeholders such as government departments, organisations, investors or researchers.
• Determine the operation, features, feasibility, usability and usefulness of prototypes.

Verbatim and quotes may be used. This will not be attributed to your name, but it may be attributed to your age, type of sex work or location and your participation ID. Information will be de-identified and no quotes or information shared that could potentially reveal who you are will be used.

Your information will de-identified and used in an aggregated format that cannot be linked to you.

Compensation

To thank you for your time, financial compensation will be provided depending on the contribution you elect:

$120 for the two hour consultation groups and/or
$100 for a 90 minute individual interviews  

Payment will be provided within two weeks by email via Gift Card (giftcard.com.au). If you stop participating, you will still be compensated pro rata for the time you have spent.

If it takes longer than 30 minutes each way to attend the in-person consultation in Melbourne then you will also be compensated $20AUD.

Data and sensitive information management

I will protect your privacy and confidentiality to the fullest extent possible. I will not tell anyone else about your decision to be involved in these consultations. I will assign you with a unique code that will be used instead of your name during the consultations and when analysing results. I may need to terminate focus groups if any participants feel unsafe and in this case I will delete all data from this focus group.

During the consultations I will audio record and take notes about the topics discussed provided that everyone has consented. Audio recordings will be made to a password protected phone that only I have access to. The recordings will be transcribed by an organisation called “Digital and Audio Transcription Services” (DAATS). DAATS will not have access to identifying information. DAATS will sign a confidentiality agreement confirming that they will not share any data with any third party. Once audio recordings have been transcribed and sent to me, DAATS will immediately and permanently delete the electronic files. DAATS has considerable experience doing this and regularly works with universities and other organisations who are conducting sensitive research.

Once I receive the transcripts, I will redact any potentially identifying information. The notes will be similarly de-identified. Audio recordings will be deleted once data is transcribed and de-identified. Similarly, notes will be destroyed once data is de-identified. Once you are compensated, the record of your email address will also be destroyed

Consent forms and email addresses will be stored separately and digitally with 2-factor authentication access. This will be linked to your participation ID to enable your data to be deleted should you wish to withdraw your participation at a later date.

You retain the right to withdraw any data stored about you specifically which is linked to the code we create. 

All data obtained from these consultations will be destroyed after seven year after I have finalised the analysis and informed the project.

Risks and benefits

Your participation will inform the potential development of a product that takes into account what sex workers need and is customised and fit-for-purpose. By contributing, you are helping in the creation of a tool that may make your work safer or easier.

However, you will be asked to reflect upon difficult times and sensitive topics during the consultations. In focus groups you might hear distressing personal stories and see the emotional reactions of others. It is possible that you may experience discomfort, anxiety or psychological distress as a result of some of the personal and sensitive issues discussed. Should this be the case, you are not under any obligation to continue with the consultation and you may take a break from or terminate the consultation immediately. 

If in the focus groups you decide to withdraw your participation, all of the data in that focus group will be immediately deleted. I ask you to make a preference for attending the focus groups only if you are comfortable storytelling and sharing within a group setting of peers. If I determine a participant requires my attention, or if a participant decides to leave, I will stop recording and will immediately delete the data obtained in that focus group.

If necessary, I can connect you with your own health practitioner, appropriate support service, resources or a psychologist. I will also contact you after the consultations to check in with you, to answer any questions that you might have, or provide you with any further support or de-briefing. Please note that I am not a trained mental health professional.

Will I hear about the results of this project?

After consultation, you will be asked if you would like to be updated on the progress of the Fellowship. 

Alternatively, you can follow the progress of this project by subscribing to my blog. 

If you would like to participate please express your interest in the form below

 Resources and help

Australian Resources:

Lifeline
24-hour telephone counselling - Cost of local call (fixed lines)
13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service
24-hour crisis counselling and call back
1300 659 467

Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS)
24-hour domestic violence crisis assistance
6280 0900

HealthDirect
24-hour medical & health advice line staffed by registered nurses
1800 022 222
6207 7777

Headspace
24-hour counselling, support and information to young people (12-25) during periods of mental distress or decline.
1800 650 890

Beyond Blue
24-hour counselling and judgement free contact to discuss issues.
1300 22 4636

Mindspot
8am to 8pm service for people with worry, anxiety, low mood, stress or depression, which provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression.
1800 61 44 34