CHILD WELLBEING IN THE CONTEXT OF PARENTAL DETENTION
Participant Information Statement – Parents and Guardians
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?
The University of Sydney and the Australian Human Rights Commission are conducting a study about the impacts of parental immigration detention on children. We want to understand how immigration detention affects the children of detained parents, and what can be done to improve outcomes.
You have been invited to take part in this study because of your family’s experience of immigration detention in Australia. This Participant Information Statement tells you about the study so that you can decide if you want to participate. Please read this information and ask any questions you have.
Participation in this study is voluntary. 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?
First, we would like to interview you about your family’s experience of immigration detention, and about how this has impacted your child. We will not press you to talk about anything you don’t want to. You are welcome to have a support person with you in your interview.
Second, we would like to interview your child about their experiences. Your child can choose to fill in a workbook during their interview if they wish. The workbook includes space for your child to write and draw in response to questions, and is designed to help children tell their stories more easily. Your child will not have to do or talk about anything they don’t want to. You are welcome to be present in your child’s interview, or to stay close by.
With your permission, we will audio record both your and your child’s interviews, so that we have an accurate record of what you say. We will also make a copy of your child’s workbook.
Interviews will take place face-to-face at a time and location that suits you. The researchers will talk with you before your interviews to organise a good time and place to meet. You can request a language interpreter for your interviews if you need one. Please let the researchers know if this is required.
(4) How much of my time will the study take?
Each interview will take up to one hour.
(5) Who can take part in the study?
If your child has had a parent in Australian immigration detention at any point during their childhood (0-18 years old), your family is eligible to participate in the study.
Children must be at least 7 years old to take part in an interview. If you have a younger child (under 7 years old), we will be unable to interview them directly, but we would still like to speak with you. If you have an older child (over 18 years old) they are welcome to participate in the study as long as they were under 18 at the time of their parent’s detention.
(6) Do I have to be in the study? Can I withdraw from the study once it starts?
You and your family do not have to take part in this study. There will be no negative consequences if you decide not to be involved. You can stop the interviews or withdraw from the study at any time.
(7) Are there any risks or costs associated with being in the study?
Talking about immigration detention may be difficult for you or your child. We do not want to upset you and will not push you to answer any questions you don’t want to.
If you become upset during your interview, we will ask you if you would like to stop or pause your interview. If your child becomes upset during their interview, we will stop the interview and talk to you or the person they came with to make sure they are OK.
If you feel distressed and need to speak with a counsellor, free support is available by calling:
Lifeline (free call) on 13 11 14
Free crisis counselling is also available to your child by calling:
Kids Helpline (free call) on 1800 55 1800
(8) Are there any benefits associated with being in the study?
As part of this study, we are speaking to many families like yours in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. We will use the information we gather to understand how immigration detention impacts children. Study findings will be used to advocate for better and fairer immigration policies and practices in Australia. They will also be used to help supporting organisations to improve services to families like yours.
We cannot promise that your family will get any benefit from taking part in the study, but we will give you and your child a $30 gift voucher each after your interviews to say thank you.
(9) What will happen to information that is collected during the study?
With your permission, we will audio record your and your child’s interviews. We will also take a photo of each page of your child’s workbook; your child will be able to keep the original workbook if they want to.
We may use quotes from your interviews – as well as photos of your child’s workbook – when we publish our study findings. We will not include your names or any information that could identify you, your child or your family. Key publications from the study are likely to include an Australian Human Rights Commission report, academic publications such as journal articles and book chapters, and resources for children and families impacted by immigration detention.
We will store your information safely and not disclose your identity, except as required by law. We will keep your and your child’s information in perpetuity, so that it is available if either of you decide to participate in a follow-up study in the future. You can request that we delete this information at any time by contacting Michelle via phone (0466 091 446) or email (michelle.peterie@sydney.edu.au).
(10) Can I tell other people about the study?
Yes, you can tell other people about the study.
(11) How do I get involved, and what do I do if I would like further information about the study?
If you would like your family to be involved in this research – or if you would like more information now or at any point during the study – please contact Dr Michelle Peterie. You can reach 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 receive information about the study findings on 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 an independent 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 (2023/475). As part of this process, we have agreed to carry out the study according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). This statement has been developed to protect people who agree to take part in research studies.
If you are concerned about the way this study is being conducted or if you wish to make a complaint to someone independent from the study, please contact the University using the details outlined below.
Telephone: +61 2 8627 8176
Email: human.ethics@sydney.edu.au
This information sheet is for you to keep