FAQ: Victim Survivor Voice Survey

Where can I find the survey?

Access the survey here.

I am experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence and need support now. Where can I find support?

If you are experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, please know you are not alone and help is available.
• Phone 000 if you are in immediate danger.
• 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence service. They can be contacted on 1800 737 732 or www.1800respect.org.au for 24/7 confidential information, counselling and support.
• The Domestic Violence Crisis Service 24/7 crisis intervention line can be contacted on 02 6280 0900 and further information can be found at www.dvcs.org.au.
• The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre crisis line can be contacted on 02 6247 2525 between 7am and 11pm seven days a week and further information can be found at www.crcc.org.au.

What is domestic, family and sexual violence?

Domestic, family and sexual violence include a range of behaviour types and is not only physical violence. These forms of violence are actions designed to control, threaten or harm someone and can come in many forms.

Family violence is a term for violence that occurs within family relationships. For more information on family violence please visit ACT Government Types of Domestic and Family Violence.

Domestic violence is a type of family violence that occurs between current or former intimate partners. For more information on domestic violence please visit ACT Government Types of Domestic and Family Violence.

Sexual violence (also referred to as sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual threat and image-based abuse) involves any physical contact, or intent of contact, of a sexual nature against a person’s will, using physical force, intimidation or coercion. For more information on sexual violence please visit ACT Government Sexual Assault Prevention and Response.

What is the Victim Survivor Voice project?

The Victim Survivor Voice project is to design, develop and pilot and intersectional and sustainable consultation model for adult victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence in the ACT.

What is the survey for?

This survey is to seek input on the development of the Victim Survivor Voice model.

What does this survey ask?

This survey asks four questions. These questions are:

1. Would you be interested in becoming involved with the Victim Survivor Voice consultation model to inform improved services and systems?
a) If yes, please tell us more about how you might like to be involved with this project
b) If no, please tell us more about why you are not interested in becoming involved with this project
c) If unsure, please tell us more about why you are unsure about whether you might be interested in becoming involved with this project
2. Please tell us about what Women’s Health Matters could do to make you feel comfortable, respected and supported if you became involved in this project?
3. [Optional] Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
4. Are you interested in Women’s Health Matters contacting you to discuss your answers or the project? If you are, please provide your contact details.

How long is this survey open?

The survey will remain open until 11:59pm on Wednesday 13 March 2024.

How will information I provide be used?

The information you provide will only be used for the purpose of informing Women’s Health Matters’ Victim Survivor Voice project. Your information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which you can read here.

How will information I provide be shared?

Following completion of the survey, answers will be reviewed by Ursula De Ruyter and Merri Andrew from Women’s Health Matters. Ursula and Merri will remove all identifying information from responses to identify key themes and ideas. A high-level summary of these themes will be shared with the ACT Office of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence in March 2024 for the purpose of developing of the Victim Survivor Voice project.

How will I remain completely anonymous?

The survey does not ask for any of your personal details. You will remain completely anonymous unless you decide you want to share your email address or phone number with us. Only Ursula De Ruyter and Merri Andrew from Women’s Health Matters will have your information, which will be kept confidential. You can also provide a pseudonym if you do want to speak to us further.

Does the survey cover any sensitive topics?

Yes. The survey will ask you whether you have ever experienced domestic, family or sexual violence.

Can I ask someone to help me complete this survey?

Yes.

Can I complete this survey on behalf of someone else?

Yes, but please make sure that if you are acting on behalf of someone else you have their consent to share their experiences and that you prioritise their interests. Please also remember that listening to another person’s experience can be distressing and you may wish to debrief with a professional or trusted person afterwards.

Can I do the survey another way?

Yes. If this survey is not accessible for you or is difficult to use, please contact Ursula at u.deruyter@womenshealthmatters.org.au or call (02) 5137 4321.

Can I save my answers and complete it over multiple sittings?

No. This survey platform unfortunately does not allow you to save your submission and come back to it. We suggest you use a separate, personally created document to write your responses to the questions over time. This can allow you to take breaks in writing your responses before submitting to us.

Can I edit, add to, or make changes to my responses after completing the survey?

Yes, however as this survey platform does not allow you to save and edit your work please contact Ursula at Women’s Health Matters on u.deruyter@womenshealthmatters.org.au or 02 5137 4321 to provide your changes. Any conversations with Ursula will remain confidential and you can use a pseudonym to remain anonymous.

Can I withdraw my responses?

Yes, however as this survey platform does not allow you to remove your submission once submitted, please contact Ursula at Women’s Health Matters on u.deruyter@womenshealthmatters.org.au or 02 5137 4321 to withdraw your responses.

What do I do if I find a question offensive, overwhelming or confusing?

You do not need to include any information that you do not want to include. Please only answer what you are comfortable answering. You can also raise your complaints directly with Women’s Health Matters by contacting Ursula on u.deruyter@womenshealthmatters.org.au or 02 5137 4321

Is there any payment or reward for doing the survey?

Everyone who is eligible for the survey and completes it can enter a prize draw to win one of thee $50 gift cards. The prizes will be drawn in March 2024. We will check people are eligible before awarding the prizes.

To enter the prize draw, you will need to tell us your email address and postcode at the end of the survey. These details will be separated from the survey answers, only used for the prize draw, and deleted after prizes are awarded.