Experiences with consent among kink and non-monogamy practitioners

Principal Investigator: Jessamyn Bowling, PhD, UNC Charlotte
Co-investigator: Rob Cramer, PhD, UNC Charlotte
Study Sponsor: National Coalition for Sexual Freedom

You are invited to participate in a research study. Participation in this research study is voluntary. The information provided is to help you decide whether or not to participate. If you have any questions, please ask.
Important Information You Need to Know
• The purpose of this study is to examine experiences with consent negotiation and non-consensual experiences among kink practitioners, and we are examining education and consent relating to choking and breath play.
• We are asking people who have ever engaged in kink aged 18 and older to complete a questionnaires about consent negotiation and experiences with non-consensual acts. This survey will take about 25 minutes to complete.
• Some of the questions we’ll ask you are personal and sensitive. For example, we’ll ask you about times when your consent was violated. These questions are personal and you might experience some mild emotional discomfort. You may choose to skip a question you do not want to answer. You will not personally benefit from taking part in this research but our study results may help us better understand how consent operates among kink practitioners.
• Please read this form and ask any questions you may have before you decide whether to participate in this research study.
Why are we doing this study?
The purpose of this study is to examine experiences with consent negotiation and non-consensual experiences among kink practitioners
Why are you being asked to be in this research study.
You are being asked to be in this study because you have engaged in kink or consensual non-monogamy at some point in your lifetime, and you are at least 18 years of age.
What will happen if I take part in this study?
If you choose to participate you will complete a questionnaire. This will take about 25 minutes. The questionnaires will ask questions about your background (age, relationship status etc.), types of kink you engage in, how you’ve negotiated consent, your health, and non-consensual experiences.
What benefits might I experience?
You will not benefit directly from being in this study. Others might benefit because it is important to understand how kink practitioners are dealing with consent and non-consensual experiences so that we can improve community responses to non-consensual experiences.
What risks might I experience?
For example, we’ll ask you about times when your consent was violated. These questions are personal and you might experience some mild emotional discomfort. You may choose to skip a question you do not want to answer. Because all data is anonymous, we do not anticipate any risks of a data breach.

Question Title

* 1. Consent to Participate in a Research Study

How will my information be protected?
Your information will be anonymous and we will not collect personally identifiable information about you. Your IP address will not be collected. Please realize that there are risks to participating in internet-based research with regard to potential breaches of privacy or anonymity. Be aware that some employers monitor employee internet usage. Please be sure to close your internet browser once you have finished the survey to protect your privacy. In addition, you can further safeguard your privacy by deleting the webpage history from your browser after closing the survey link.

How will my information be used after the study is over?
After this study is complete, study data may be shared with other researchers for use in other studies without asking for your consent again or as may be needed as part of publishing our results. The data we share will NOT include information that could identify you.

NCSF will use these results to help perform its advocacy for our communities. For example, NCSF will give the results to law enforcement, prosecutors and health care professionals so they can better understand the experiences of kinky people and provide better quality service. NCSF will also provide club owners and event producers with this information so they can understand the dynamics of consent violations that happen, and thereby take steps to create a better environment for their members. NCSF provides dozens of workshops and events each year about consent, and these results will be presented to community members there.

Will I receive an incentive for taking part in this study?
You will not receive incentives for taking part in the study. What we learn about how people are motivated may be beneficial for improving educational programs or helping other researchers. This may lead to improvements in how others engage in alt-sex practices and consent.

What other choices do I have if I don’t take part in this study?
There are other options in discussing your experiences with non-consensual acts such as through National Sexual Violence Resource Center, RAINN - https://www.rainn.org/

What are my rights if I take part in this study?
It is up to you to decide to be in this research study. Participating in this study is voluntary. Even if you decide to be part of the study now, you may change your mind and stop at any time. You do not have to answer any questions you do not want to answer.

Who can answer my questions about this study and my rights as a participant?
For questions about this research, you may contact Jessamyn Moxie at jbowlin9@charlotte.edu or 980-500-9965.

If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, or wish to obtain information, ask questions, or discuss any concerns about this study with someone other than the researcher(s), please contact the Office of Research Compliance at 704-687-1871 or uncc-irb@charlotte.edu.

Consent to Participate
I have read and understand the information provided. I understand that I may contact the researcher listed above if I have any questions now or later. I understand that I can print out a copy of this document for my records.

 
 2% of survey complete.