Participant Information Sheet
1. Study title

Public Perceptions of Suspended Sentences for Assault and Domestic Abuse: Support, Conditions and Reform

2. Invitation paragraph

You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide whether to take part, it is important that you understand why the research is being carried out and what it will involve. Please read the following information carefully. You may ask questions if anything is unclear.

3. What is the purpose of the study?

This study explores Scottish public attitudes towards suspended sentences, particularly for offences involving assault and domestic abuse. Suspended sentences are not currently used in Scotland in the same way as in some other jurisdictions, although they have been discussed in relation to sentencing reform. The research will examine whether public support varies depending on offence severity, sentencing transparency, public understanding, and the conditions attached to a sentence.

This study is being carried out as part of an MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice dissertation at the University of Glasgow.

4. Why have I been invited to participate?

You have been invited because you are aged 18 or over and currently live in Scotland. The study is interested in Scottish public attitudes toward sentencing and criminal justice. You do not need any specialist legal knowledge to take part.

5. Do I have to take part?

No. Taking part is entirely voluntary. You may choose not to participate or withdraw from the survey at any point before submitting your responses, without giving a reason. Once the survey has been submitted, it may not be possible to withdraw your response because the survey is anonymous and individual responses may not be identifiable.

6. What will happen to me if I take part?

If you choose to take part, you will complete an anonymous online survey. The survey will ask about your views on suspended sentences, assault, domestic abuse, offence seriousness, and sentence conditions such as community service, rehabilitation programmes and electronic monitoring.

Some questions will ask you to select an answer, rate options using a scale or slider, or rank different offences or sentence conditions. Some questions may allow you to explain your views in your own words.

The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

7. What do I have to do?

You only need to complete the online survey if you wish to take part. You do not have to answer any question that makes you uncomfortable, and you should not include names or identifying details about yourself or anyone else in written responses.

8. What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?

Some participants may find questions about assault, domestic abuse or sentencing sensitive or uncomfortable. However, the survey does not ask you to disclose personal experiences of victimisation, offending, domestic abuse or assault. Any offence scenarios will be brief, neutral and non-graphic, and the focus of the research is on public attitudes toward sentencing.

You may stop completing the survey before submission if you no longer wish to take part. Support information will also be provided at the end of the survey.

9. What are the possible benefits of taking part?

There may be no direct personal benefit to taking part. However, your responses will help contribute to research on public attitudes toward sentencing, suspended sentences, offence seriousness and criminal justice reform in Scotland.
10. Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?

Yes. The survey will be anonymous. You will not be asked to provide your name, address, email address or any directly identifying information. Any demographic information collected, such as age range, gender or broad location, will be used only for research purposes and reported in aggregated or anonymised form.

Please do not include names or identifying details about yourself or others in any written responses.

11. What will happen to my data?

Survey responses will be stored securely using password-protected University-approved storage. The data will only be accessed by the researcher and, where necessary, the dissertation supervisor.

The data will be used only for this dissertation project. Any personal or potentially identifiable data will be retained only for as long as necessary to complete the dissertation, allow for marking, and meet any relevant University requirements. After this period, such data will be securely deleted. Anonymised findings may be included in the final dissertation, but individual participants will not be identifiable.

All data will be handled in accordance with relevant data protection requirements.

12. What will happen to the results of the research study?

The results will be written up as part of an MSc dissertation at the University of Glasgow. The findings will include summary statistics. No individual participant will be identified in the final project.

13. Who is organising and funding the research?

This research is being organised by Louis Kennedy as part of the MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice programme at the University of Glasgow, under the supervision of Professor Fergus McNeill. The project is not externally funded.

14. Who has reviewed the study?

This project will be reviewed through the University of Glasgow ethics process before data collection begins. The research will only proceed once ethical approval has been granted.

15. Support services

If you feel affected by any of the issues raised in this survey, you may wish to contact one of the following support services:

· Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline — confidential support for anyone affected by domestic abuse or forced marriage. Available 24/7 on 0800 027 1234. Text/WhatsApp: 07401 288 595.

· Victim Support Scotland — support for people affected by crime, including emotional and practical support.

· Scottish Women’s Aid — information and support for women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse. Their website also directs people to Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline.

· Men’s Advice Line — confidential advice and support for male victims of domestic abuse, including trans and non-binary people who feel the service is right for them.

· Scottish Women’s Rights Centre — free and confidential legal advice and advocacy support for women affected by violence and abuse in Scotland.

· Samaritans — emotional support for anyone who is struggling or in distress. Call 116 123.

· NHS 24 — for urgent health advice in Scotland, call 111.

If you are in immediate danger, or someone else is at immediate risk of harm, call 999.

16. Contact for further information

If you have any questions about the research, please contact:

Researcher: Louis Kennedy Email: 2665947K@student.gla.ac.uk

Supervisor: Professor Fergus McNeill Email: Fergus.McNeill@glasgow.ac.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this information sheet.

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