FAQ
03
Who else is involved in the research?
In each country, we will interview 30 people who have experience of selling sex and have had mental health issues. We will also interview 5-10 providers, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, nurses, social workers, sexologists, who have experience of supporting sex workers, to ask them about their practices and views. Also, for providers, we will use an online survey.
02
What are we doing?
We are doing this research to understand sex workers’ experiences of mental health issues and how mental services, as well as specific services and humanitarian initiatives supporting sex workers can be improved. You will be able to answer our questions in whichever way you are more comfortable, including not answering them at all. You will also be able to stop the interview whenever you want without having to explain. We will not collect personal details, including your name, so that nobody will be able to identify research participants.
01
Who are we?
We are three academic researchers (Dr. Giulia Garofalo Geymonat – Lund University, Prof. Nicola Mai – Kingston University, and Dr. PG Macioti– Hydra e.V.) working as a research team including research assistants as well as peer researchers, meaning people who have themselves direct experience in the sex industry.
06
What will we do with what you and others say?
We will record interviews with providers, but please let us know if you prefer not to be recorded, and we will take notes to remember the information you will give us. We will not write down or try to find out your name. Everything you or others tell us will be confidential, unless there is a significant risk of harm to you or another person (including a child). We will not use real names in anything we write so nobody will be able to identify who participates. All information will be anonymised from the start and stored securely.
05
What will be involved if I take part in this study?
After considering this information sheet and receiving appropriate answers to your questions, we would then ask for your written or verbal consent to the interview process.
Interviews will be arranged face to face or on Skype with one of our research team who
are very experienced in researching the sex industry and working with the community.
We expect the interview to take about 1 hour.
04
Do you have to participate in the research?
No! But if you choose to participate we would like you to talk to us about your experiences of supporting sex workers who have mental health issues and about your needs 1 of 2 and the support available to you as a provider. By getting involved you will help us to
better understand the lives and needs of women, men and transgender people working in the sex industry. You will also help us understand and improve the impact of existing
policies, services and initiatives that are supposed to help and protect sex workers.
07
08
This research is a chance to help make things better for sex workers in your area and globally. Everyone who takes part will receive a leaflet at the end of the research that explains what we found out and what we are doing to try and improve things for sex
workers.
What do you get for taking part?
No! But if you choose to participate we would like you to talk to us about your experiences of supporting sex workers who have mental health issues and about your needs 1 of 2 and the support available to you as a provider. By getting involved you will help us to
better understand the lives and needs of women, men and transgender people working in the sex industry. You will also help us understand and improve the impact of existing
policies, services and initiatives that are supposed to help and protect sex workers.
Do you have to participate in the research?