researchers in Lewisham contacting escorts on AW

[glitterfeminism]

Hey,

Has anyone else been contacted by researchers from Goldsmiths on their adult work account wanting to talk to them for research? they're masters students wanting to talk to escorts in Lewisham.

I don't doubt they're genuine, but I replied to them saying I wanted to see a full break down of the aims/methods of the research & the ethics application so that if I participated I knew I was not giving help to a project with an abolitionist and anti-sex worker agenda.

I also directed them to my rates on my profile, I'd def be willing to do it for a lot less (like, maybe two thirds of my rates or even half) but I think it's really important that researchers (and I am one outside of sex work) know that we're not just here to have stuff done about us that doesn't help us and that we're compensated for our time. That's not unreasonable, right?

[Aqua Allegoria]

Darling, are you sure they are "researchers"?

I once spoke on the phone to that researcher guy... It took me 2 minutes to realise he was masturbating... Careful.

[alice842]

Hmm... to be honest if I were doing a study and was looking for participants who were sex workers I would post about it somewhere like here or advertise at a sex workers only clinic or something. It's pretty unprofessional for these researchers to message sex workers on adultwork IMO they are basically tricking you into reading their email because you think they may be a potential client - you don't approach participants pretending to be a client. I doubt if you'll get a reply from them or if they'd be willing to pay you anything.

[Bella.X]

Darling, are you sure they are "researchers"?

I once spoke on the phone to that researcher guy... It took me 2 minutes to realise he was masturbating... Careful.

LMAO this has happened to me before. Now if anyone rings me and they sound sleepy or cant speak up, I just hang up

[SWResearch]

Thank you for posting about our research project.

To explain a little further we are a small scale research group from Goldsmiths University. We are MA Social Work students and interested in hearing the voice of sex workers. Our project is looking at what services sex workers use, or feel they need. Such services might include health care, housing, support services or anything that sex workers regard as important.

We are looking for up to eight participants who could take part in a short, one to one interview. This should last no more than one hour. We are aiming to do the interview before the end of December.

We would like sex workers to take part to share their knowledge and help de-stigmatise this line of work by highlighting their needs.

Unfortunately, we don't have any funds to provide for participation in our small research project. However we are happy to pay for travel expenses and refreshments.

If you would like anymore information with regards to ethics, confidentiality etc. please don't hesitate to contact us.

Please contact us if you would like to get involved our email address is swresearch@gold.ac.uk.
Our profile on Adultwork includes a picture and explains who we are and what we hope to do. Here is a link [removed]. Many Thanks.

[amy]

Even if we allowed people to post links to AW profiles on the forum because you're not offering services we can't see it anyway (apart from the people you've spammed already contacted via the site).

An explanation here will be fine, and one which answers the questions raised in the first post (as well as an assurance that this is being properly supervised and meets the relevant ethical standards), would be super.

[SWResearch]

For those interested or considering participation in our research please see  below for a full break down of our research aims and methods.

Are sex workers getting the services they need?
We would like to invite you to take part in a research project. Here is some information
about what it involves to help you to decide if you would like to take part. Please ask us if
anything is unclear or you would like more information.

What is the project about?
The project is to find out if sex workers are getting the health and support services they
need.

Do I have to take part?
Participation is completely voluntary and even if you decide to go ahead you can change
your mind at any time. If you do decide to take part, we will ask you to sign a consent form.

What will I have to do?
We would like to ask you some questions about the health and support services you may
or may not use and why. There will be two female interviewers and the discussion will not
last more than one hour. Interviews will be audio recorded and notes taken. Location and
timing can be flexible to suit you. We need to complete all interviews by 19th December
2014 and the project will finish by January 14th 2015.

Why should I take part?
You will have the chance to voice your opinion about health and support services and help
future social workers better understand the needs of sex workers.
Will my participation be kept confidential?
We will not identify you within the research or pass on any of your personal details to
anybody else. The consent form will be the only record of identity and will be stored in a
locked cabinet. These will then be shredded after the research is complete, as will any
notes taken. Audio recordings will also be deleted. Confidentiality may be limited if there is
a disclosure of something that may cause harm.

What will happen to the results of the research project?
The results of the research project will be presented to Goldsmiths University social work
students and lecturers on 14th January 2015. You will also be welcome to this
presentation.

Who is organising the research?
We are eight social work students from the Department of Social, Therapeutic and
Community Studies at Goldsmiths University.

Will I get paid for taking part?
We will cover reasonable public transport expenses if needed.

Who can I contact for further information?

swresearch@gold.ac.uk
Lorraine Ellames (Lecturer): L.Ellames@gold.ac.uk

We can't post the ethical approval form in this forum, but are happy to forward it to you, if you want to send us an email.

We will also create a new thread, specifically for this project.

Many Thanks

[SWResearch]

Hello all,

We are Social Work students looking to interview Sex Workers who wish to share their views on Community, Needs & Services.

We've already posted on a previous thread looking for participants to take part in face-to-face interviews, but if you don't have the time, or would prefer not to meet in person, would you be able to fill-in this short questionnaire for us?

 https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=11CdLdupKcVoL_2b6L8tAqEA_3d_3d​

Thank you so much to anyone who can help and share their knowledge with us, we really appreciate it!

Goldsmiths Social Work Research Group ​

[Bluetits]

I was contacted too by them on AW (initially thinking it was a potential client of course) but wasn't sure if it was genuine or not. Seems ok but regarding the questions they mention about health and support services in the area we can go to, I don't think there are any except in Central London. I doubt that there will be simply as a result from these interviews and as for helping to de-stigmatise our line of work, I don't think that will happen in my lifetime sadly.

[Bluetits]

Did anyone ever meet these people? I'm just very curious as I won't say too much but anyone who received the email, if you haven't deleted it then check it again. You'll see what I mean.

[TheLittleMatchGirl]

I was contacted too by them on AW (initially thinking it was a potential client of course) but wasn't sure if it was genuine or not. Seems ok but regarding the questions they mention about health and support services in the area we can go to, I don't think there are any except in Central London. I doubt that there will be simply as a result from these interviews and as for helping to de-stigmatise our line of work, I don't think that will happen in my lifetime sadly.

Of course there are support services elsewhere, there is life outside of London haha

[Bluetits]

Yes I know there are probably support services elsewhere, I'm not that narrow minded! I meant in my part of London, SE London, as far as I know there aren't any and that C London is the only part of London that I know of any.

Anyway, it's a bit strange. Has an alias.

[glitterfeminism]

haven't been on here in ages - sorry I'm only replying now! I initially felt a bit bad about being so blunt with them but didn't end up contacting them at the end of the day because I had so little time/energy/etc. and I need to spend my energy on things like cooking and working etc.. did anyone else meet them?

[Bluetits]

Did you notice though that the email had an alias of a WG currently advertising on there. That I found strange.