Algonquin: Resilience and Victims of Violence – FAQs

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FAQs

Who can participate in the research?

To participate in this study, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of participating in this survey (although you can refer to experiences that occurred prior to age 18).
  • You must have personally experienced some form of violence or abuse or be a family survivor or partner of a homicide victim.
  • Your case must not be proceeding through a criminal or family court at the time of your participation in the survey.

What is the goal of the study?

The objective of this study is to learn from you about your experiences following violent crime or abuse.  We’re interested in knowing what you have found helpful, any experience you may have had with the criminal justice system, and how we can improve supports to victims and survivors of violence.

Who is conducting this research?

This research is being conducted by Dr. Benjamin Roebuck (Graduate Victimology Program, Algonquin College), and Dr. Holly Johnson (Department of Criminology, University of Ottawa). The project is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Research Bios:

Dr. Benjamin Roebuck is the current Program Coordinator for the Graduate Victimology program at Algonquin College. He has a strong research background, having completed his PhD in Criminology in 2014. Much of his previous research has focused on the strengths of youth experiencing homelessness. He has worked towards numerous publications, grants, and partnerships related to this area. He is an active participant in the World Society of Victimology (WSV), through which he presented his research in Japan in 2008, as well as at the annual conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia each year since 2011. 

Dr Holly Johnson’s primary research interests focus on criminal justice and social responses to sexual violence, intimate partner violence and partner homicide, and on the methodological challenges to measuring the nature and prevalence of these experiences. She was principal investigator of Statistics Canada’s first national survey on violence against women and a coordinator of the International Violence Against Women Survey. Dr. Johnson is currently involved in many national and international networks aimed at refining research tools, preventing violence against women, and improving interventions and responses to these crimes. Dr. Johnson’s contributions to local community service include membership in the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, member of the Advisory Committee to the Ottawa Police Service on improving their response to crimes of violence against women, member of the University of Ottawa Task Force on Respect and Equality, serving on advisory committees of Crime Prevention Ottawa, and member of the Steering Committee of the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA).

How will my privacy be protected?

All your answers will be kept strictly confidential and your identity protected. You will not be required to provide your name or any other information that can identify you. Your internet address will not be collected. The only people who will have access to your answers are the researchers and they won’t know your identity. When the results are published your answers will be grouped with the answers of other participants to protect your identity. You may be quoted, but the researchers will make sure that no one will be able to identify you.

How long will the survey take?

The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete.

What if I decide I don’t want to finish the survey once I’ve started?

This is a voluntary survey and you may refuse to answer any questions. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time. However, because this survey is completely anonymous, it will not be possible to withdraw your answers once you have hit the ‘submit’ button at the end.

What if the survey brings up strong emotions or memories for me?

Depending on your experiences, some questions may be difficult to answer or may trigger negative feelings. A list of support services is provided at the beginning and the end of the survey in case such feelings arise.

 

List of Support Services

Depending on your experiences, some questions in the survey may be difficult to answer or may trigger negative feelings. We encourage you to contact the services that apply to you and your situation if you need them.

Yukon: VictimLink 1-800-563-0808

Northwest Territories: Victim Services Helpline 1-867-767-9261

Nunavut: Government of Nunavut Crisis Line 1-866-456-5216

                  Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line 1-800-265-3333

British Columbia: VictimLink BC 1-800-563-0808

Alberta: Victims of Crime 310-0000

Saskatchewan: Crisis Line 1-306-244-2224

Manitoba: Victim Rights Support Service (VRSS) 1-866-484-2846

Ontario: Victim Support Line (VSL) 1-888-579-2888 or Greater Toronto Area 1-416-314-2447

Québec: Crime Victims Assistance Centres (CAVAC) 1-866-532-2822

New Brunswick: Chimo Helpline 1-800-667-5005

Prince Edward Island: Island Helpline 1-800-218-2885

Nova Scotia: Victim Services 1-888-470-0773

Newfoundland/Labrador: Crisis Centre 1-888-737-4668

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