Survivors’ Voices receive many requests from researchers seeking to recruit participants to their research studies.
Speaking about your experiences in research studies is one way some survivors feel empowered as contributing to research can change the status quo regarding society and abuse.
BUT the success of the study in making changes is dependent on the study being managed and run safely.
To help keep Survivors’ Voices membership safe and ensure only robust studies are offered on this site, Susanna (the Research Lead at Survivors’ Voices) has checked that studies meets our criteria for best practice in participant involvement.
However, it is important that before participating you also take time to read the researcher’s Participant Information Forms and other information about the study. Also consider the ways in which the researcher is offering to support you before, during and after your participation.
Participation usually takes the form of a one to one meeting/interview with the researcher.
Below you will find email addresses so you can contact the researcher and ask for further information and/or signal that you would like to take part.
There are three studies for you to consider, please scroll down for further information and a
link to the researcher.
Study 1.
Barriers and Facilitators to Dental Care: The Experiences from Survivors of Sexual Abuse and the Perspectives of Dental Professionals.
Study 2.
Adult survivors’ experiences of disclosures of non-recent child sexual abuse in the UK
Study 3.
Speaking Shame: Survivors Stories of Unwanted Sexual Experiences
Study 1:
Recruitment of participants to: Barriers and Facilitators to Dental Care: The Experiences from Survivors of Sexual Abuse and the Perspectives of Dental Professionals.
Have you avoided, accessed, or attempted to access, the dentist? If so, we need you!
As part of a research project into experiences of dental care for survivors of sexual abuse, we are looking for people interested in taking part in a research interview where you will discuss your experiences of dental care.
Further research is needed into the experiences of survivors of sexual abuse accessing, or
attempting to access, dental care in the Essex and Suffolk region. There is also little research
which offers understanding of dental professionals views of survivors’ experiences.
This research hopes to provide greater understanding about the experiences of survivors and the perceptions dental professionals hold about these experiences in the context of their work.
It is hoped that this research will be used to highlight areas of good practice, inform better
practice and improve the experiences of survivors attempting to access dental care
What is involved?
You will be involved in a one-to-one interview, which will be recorded. You will be asked to discuss your experiences related to dental care. The discussions will last around 60 minutes and will take place via Zoom or face-to-face. You will be sent a £10 voucher as a thank you for participating.
Am I eligible to take part?
If you are over 18 and live in the Essex or Suffolk region you are eligible to take part in this research. Your participation is entirely voluntary and you are under no obligation to take part.
How do I get in touch?
If you meet the above criteria and you are interested in taking part, please send an email to the Principal Researcher, Indiana Montaque on on im21078@essex.ac.uk . You will be sent a full information sheet and consent forms before participating in the research.
(ERAMS number: ETH2122-1309 Version 2)
Study 2.
Project title: Adult survivors’ experiences of disclosures of non-recent child sexual abuse in the UK
Invitation paragraph
I would like to invite you to take part in my research project. Before you decide whether to
participate, I would like you to understand why the research is being conducted and what it
would involve for you. Talk to others about the study if you wish. Please ask me questions if
anything is unclear.
What is the purpose of the project?
This research will consist of interviews with adult survivors of non-recent child sexual abuse
in order to contribute to understandings of experiences of disclosures. ‘Non-recent’ refers to
participants being below the age of 16 when the sexual abuse was perpetrated, but who are
now over the age of 18. The project will specifically seek to understand:
Barriers and facilitators to disclosures;
Experiences of disclosures;
Whether and in what ways victims and survivors perceived responses as effective
What will happen to me if I take part and what will I have to do?
Participants will be invited to take part in a qualitative, semi-structured interview. These are
expected to last about one hour, however the project is flexible and the interviews can be
much shorter (or longer) if required. These interviews will take place online via Microsoft
Teams, and participants may decide whether to enable or disable their camera. No video
recording will be made. The interviews will be audio recorded.
Who is organising and funding the research?
This research is being organised by Dr William Tantam, Lecturer in Anthropology,
University of Bristol. If participants would like further information relating to the study or
have any questions about what they are being asked to do, please contact William at:
challenging-silences-study2023@bristol.ac.uk
Study 3.
Speaking Shame: Survivors Stories of Unwanted Sexual Experiences
My name is Leah Simmons and I am a Trainee Clinical Psychologist in the Department of
Health and Social Care at the University of Essex. I would like to invite you to take part in a
research study.
What is the purpose of the study?
Research has shown that feelings of shame are common following an unwanted sexual
experience. Chronic levels of shame can often affect the way people view themselves leading
to psychological distress. I am particularly interested in gaining an understanding of shame
through the stories of young adult women who have had an unwanted sexual experience in
childhood or adolescence. I hope to learn what can support women to share their stories and
explore what can help to reduce feelings of shame.
It is up to you to decide whether or not you wish to take part in this research study. If you do
decide to take part you will be asked to provide written consent.
The interviews will take place either face to face in a room at University of Essex or by video
conferencing using Microsoft Teams or Zoom depending on your preference. Each interview
will last between fifty to seventy five minutes and will be recorded.
Once you have completed your first interview, you will be eligible for a £20 Amazon
voucher as recognition of your time and contribution to research.
For further information please contact leah at lbsimm@essex.ac.uk .
