Post-Separation Abuse Among Individuals with High Conflict Partners

Informed Consent & Participants' Bill of Rights

This consent is being sought for research. Participation is voluntary.

Primary Investigators: Amanda Romero, Shani Habibi, & Mikaela Vidmar-Perrins
Emails: aromero@msmu.edu; shabibi@msmu.edu, mvidmar@msmu.edu

Introduction:
We are conducting a research study, titled, “Systems of power and abuse: The exploitation of legal systems as a function of escalating post- separation abuse among individuals with high conflict partners." The researchers requested if Ms. T. Swithin, Author of One Mom’s Battle blog, would post the information about this research and extend the invitation by the researchers for her readers to participate in the study. Interested participants indicated their interest and provided their email addresses to the researchers. We are kindly asking for your participation in this research study. Before you opt in to participate in this study, it is imperative to understand why we am conducting this research and what it involves. Please read the following information carefully. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have.

Description of Research:
Post-separation abuse can manifest in many forms, including legal abuse when separated parents are going through custody arrangements with the court system. While legal post- separation abuse perpetrated by an ex-partner can have profound effects on victims, there is a dearth of research on how court systems respond to allegations of abuse when determining custody agreements. We are hopeful that this information will be of assistance to psychologists, social workers, therapists, and legal professionals when working with individuals and families experiencing distress through the separation process.

Voluntary Participation:
Do I have to be in this study? Participation is completely voluntary. If you choose not to participate, there will be no consequences. Participation may be discontinued at any time. In addition, the researcher may cancel this study at any time.

Extent of Participation:
Does it cost money to participate in this study? No.
Will there be any financial compensation for participating in this study? No.
How many people will be involved in this study? The researchers would like at least 100 participants.
Participants have been selected according to the study's following eligibility criteria:
- At least 18 years of age
- Self-identifies as having a high-conflict divorce and/or custody battle

What will participating in this study involve, and how long will it take? If you choose to participate in this study, your participation would include:
-completion of one survey detailing your experiences with post-separation abuse

Risks and Benefits of Participation:
Are there any risks involved with participating in this study?
There are very minimal anticipated risks associated with this research. Participants may feel pain in sharing their experiences. With this, it is important to note:

All information shared will be kept confidential, and data will not include identifiable information. Additionally, after this study, all data and identifiable information will be destroyed. All participants are free to leave any question unanswered at any time. The principal investigator is aware that asking identity questions can be uncomfortable and a sensitive topic. This data will be used

Resources
If you or anyone you know does experience pain, emotional distress, or suicidal thoughts when recalling these memories, please reach out to the researchers and do not hesitate to utilize the following resources:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800)-273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.thehotline.org Or 800.799.SAFE (7233)

Are there any potential benefits to participating in this study? By participating in this study on the experience of post-separation abuse, it will broaden the research on the topic of post-separation abuse and high conflict divorce and custody cases and thereby help therapists and legal professionals gain further knowledge on how to address this topic in both clinical and legal settings.

Will the information about my participation and me be kept confidential? Any information that is obtained in connection with this study, and that can identify you, will remain confidential. Information will be discussed with your permission or as required by law. The principal investigator will keep the surveys. In an attempt to provide high degrees of anonymity, identifying information, such as your place of residence or personal identifying characteristics, will be omitted in the research.

Participants' Bill of Rights:
What are my rights if I take part in this study? The rights below are the rights of every person who is asked to be in a research study.

As an experimental subject, I have the following rights:

To be told what the study is trying to find out.
To be explicitly told what I would be asked to do.
To be told about the frequent or important risks, side effects, or discomfort of the things that will happen to me for research purposes.
To be told if I can expect any benefit from participating, and if so, what the benefit might be.
To be allowed to ask any questions concerning the study both before agreeing to be involved and during the study.
To refuse to participate at all or to change my mind about participation after the study is started.
To receive a copy of the consent form.
To be free of pressure when considering whether I wish to agree to be in the study.

Who can I contact if I have questions about this study?
If you have any questions or concerns about the research or about your rights while participating in this study, please contact the Principal investigator or the Mount Saint Mary's University Human Subjects Research Committee, 10 Chester Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90007, or by phone at (213)477-2620.

If you have any questions about this study, please contact, Dr. Amanda Romero aromero@msmu.edu or by phone at (310)954-4223.

Question Title

* 1. Acknowledgment and Understanding of Informed Consent:

I have read, and I understand the provided information and have had the opportunity to ask questions. I know that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time, without giving a reason and without cost. I voluntarily agree to take part in the study.

I do not wish participate in this study.