CHILD WELLBEING IN THE CONTEXT OF PARENTAL DETENTION
Participant Information Statement – Children
Arabic and Persian translations of this document are available at the bottom of this page. Please contact Michelle by calling 0466 091 446
or by emailing michelle.peterie@sydney.edu.au if you need this document translated into a different language
(1) What is this study about?
We want to understand what it is like to have a parent in immigration detention, so that we can try to make things better for children and families like yours.
You have been invited to take part in this study because of your family’s experience of immigration detention. This Participant Information Statement tells you about the study so that you can decide if you want to take part. Please read this information and ask questions about anything you don’t understand or want to know more about.
Participation in this study is voluntary, which means you do not have to take part.
This Parental Information Statement is yours to keep.
(2) Who is running the study?
The study is being carried out by the following University of Sydney researchers, in partnership with the Australian Human Rights Commission:
Dr Michelle Peterie, The University of Sydney
Dr Laura Vidal, The University of Sydney
Ms Isabella Kristo, The University of Sydney
Professor Alex Broom, The University of Sydney
This study is being paid for through an Australian Research Council (ARC) grant. The ARC is an independent body that funds research in Australia.
(3) What will the study involve?
You are invited to participate in an interview about what it is like having a parent in immigration detention. During your interview, one of the researchers will ask you about your experience. They will also ask what you think should be done to make life better for kids who have a parent in detention. They will have a workbook you can fill out if you want to. The workbook can help kids explain what they think and feel.
We would like to make a copy of your workbook and record the interview. We will ask for your permission before we do that. You can have an adult you trust with you or nearby during your interview if you like. You can also request a language interpreter for your interview if you need one.
(4) How much of my time will the study take?
The interview will take up to one hour.
(5) Who can take part in the study?
We want to talk to children who are at least 7 years old, and who have (or have previously had) a parent in Australian immigration detention.
(6) Do I have to be in the study? Can I withdraw from the study once it starts?
You do not have to take part in this study. Nobody will be upset with you if you decide not to participate.
You can ask us to stop the interview at any time. We will remind you about this before the interview. You do not have to answer any questions you do not want to. You can stop being part of the study at any time.
(7) Are there any risks or costs associated with being in the study?
We do not want to upset you by talking about immigration detention, so we want you to be sure you feel OK about it before you start. If you get upset, we will stop the interview and talk to the person who came with you to the interview to make sure you are OK.
If you feel upset after your interview, we encourage you to talk to an adult you trust about your feelings. This might be a parent or carer, teacher, counsellor or caseworker. You can also speak to a counsellor by calling Kids Helpline (free call) on 1800 55 1800.
(8) Are there any benefits associated with being in the study?
We will use the information we gather from children like you to understand how immigration detention impacts children, and how things could be improved for families like yours.
We cannot promise that you will get any benefit from taking part in the study, but we will give you a AU$30 voucher after the interview to say thank you.
(9) What will happen to information that is collected during the study?
If it’s OK with you, we will record your interview and take a photo of each page of your workbook. You can keep the original copy of your workbook. We might use these photos or information from your interview when we tell people what we learnt from the study. But we won’t use your name or the names of anyone in your family. We will store your information safely and not let anyone know your identity, except as required by law. We will not delete your information unless you or your parent/guardian tells us to, because we want it to be available in the future if we interview you again.
(10) Can I tell other people about the study?
Yes, you can tell other people about the study.
(11) What if I would like further information about the study?
Dr Michelle Peterie can answer any questions you have. If you would like to know more at any stage during the study, you can contact Michelle by calling 0466 091 446 or by emailing michelle.peterie@sydney.edu.au
(12) Will I be told the results of the study?
You can tell us whether you want to get information about what we learnt from the study using your consent form. If you say ‘yes’, we will send a short summary after the study is finished.
(13) What if I have a complaint or any concerns about the study?
Research involving humans in Australia is reviewed by a group of people called a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The ethical aspects of this study have been approved by the HREC of the University of Sydney (approval number 2023/475).
If you are worried about the way this study is being done or if you want to make a complaint to someone who isn’t part of the research team, please contact the Manager, Ethics Administration, at The University of Sydney:
Telephone: +61 2 8627 8176
Email: human.ethics@sydney.edu.au
This information sheet is for you to keep