Survey of Sexual Assaults Survivors

APPENDIX 2 - INFORMATION SHEET FOR WOMEN PARTICIPATING IN THE SURVEY

Use of personal records in Criminal cases regarding sexual assault

Survey of women who have experienced sexual assault

Who is doing the survey?
In cooperation with the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres (CASAC) and eleven sexual assault and women’s support centres, the Department of Justice Canada is surveying about 100 women across Canada who have experienced sexual violence.
The centres have arranged with Justice Canada to help facilitate women’s participation in the survey.  The centres are asking women to take part in the survey, and coordinating with the interviewers and participating women to set up interview times.
Justice Canada has hired women known for their knowledge and sensitivity to women’s issues to do the interviews for the survey by telephone.  Justice Canada will be doing a survey report based on the information from the interviews.
Why is this survey being done?
Justice Canada wants to hear from women who have been sexually assaulted about what they consider when deciding whether to report the assault to the police.  At this time, the Department is particularly interested in the women’s perspectives on the use of women’s personal records in sexual assault cases that go to court.
Will my name be given to the Department of Justice?
No. Your agreement to participate in this study is between you and the sexual assault or women’s support centre that contacted you for the study.  Your name will not even be shared with the woman who interviews you on the telephone.
You might theless want to share your first name with the woman who interviews you to ease communication. But this is entirely up to you.
How will the interview be arranged?
To protect your anonymity, it is suggested that you call the interviewer from an office at the centre that contacted you for the study at a time suitable to you and the interviewer.
The centre will reimburse any childcare or transportation expenses you incur to participate in the interview. In addition, as a small token of appreciation for you participation in the survey, you will receive an honorarium of $20.00.
How long will the interview take?
The interviews should last between 45 minutes to an hour.
What if I feel like stopping the interview?
If at any time you are uncomfortable with the interview or wish to terminate it, simply tell the interviewer that you wish to end the call.
After the interview
A counselor at the sexual assault or women’s support centre will be available for you to talk to after the interview if you wish to do so.
Survey report
The actual write up of the survey results will be available later in the fall of 1998.  Justice Canada will send copies to the centres, which will provide you with a copy upon request.