Crisscross research

About the Crisscross Project

The Crisscross project is a two year programme taking part across 5 EU countries – Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Italy and Ireland. The project will be led in Ireland by the HSE National Social Inclusion Office.

The main goal of the Crisscross project is to respond to a number of intersectional issues relating to gender, behaviours and substance use in nightlife settings.The project aims to tackle gender-based violence in nightlife, leisure and socialization venues frequented young adults (18-24 years old) through the design, testing and evaluation of innovative pilots based on the behaviour change wheel methodology, with the aim to raise awareness, change attitudes and prevent GBV behaviours -including LGBTIphobia- linked to sexual violence and substance use.

The project will involve:

Focus groups with professionals who work with young people, in LGBTI+ services or in nightlife settings
Focus groups with young people between the ages of (18 – 24 years old), who live in Dublin and who take part in nightlife
A review of best practice
The development of a training programme and a new EU nightlife campaign based on research

Irish research

The HSE National Social Inclusion Office will lead on conducting the Irish research and are currently looking for participants to take part in 3 focus groups based on peoples selected gender identity

Cisgender-women (7 participants)
Cisgender-men (7 participants)
Trans and/or non-binary people (7 participants)

Focus group participants will be chosen randomly but with some factors in mind to ensure diversity is captured within the group.

The researchers will consider:

Age range to ensure those 18-24 years old are represented (not just one age group for example)
Post code (To ensure people from different parts of the City are included)
Where you heard about the survey (To guarantee diversity in views, for example, not the same 10 participants from one source/service)

Following the focus group, we will provide participants with a voucher in exchange for their valuable participation in this research.

Register

What topics will be discussed?

We appreciate that the topics discussed in this research may be difficult and could lead to discussions on experiences of harassment, violence or assault. We ask you to keep this in mind before considering participating and for you to decide if this is the right time for you to be involved in this type of discussion and if you are prepared to share your experience or listen to others experiences. We ask those who are feeling low or with mental health concerns at this time to consider if this is a suitable time to discuss these topics.

You will be shown a series of imagery, statistics and media headlines and asked to discuss the below topics

Perceptions of gender based violence, safety and being unsafe in nightlife settings
Substance use and sexual violence myths
Perceptions on nightlife interventions, priorities for types of interventions, policies in nightlife and actions

What is expected of me in the focus group?

You will be expected to attend the focus group in person
We aim to host the focus group for a 90 minute discussion (1 hour and a half)
You will be in a group of 10 people and will be expected to engage in the discussion on the topics while giving others space to share their views
You will be asked to share your views, opinion or experiences on the topics while also respecting the views of others, even if not in agreement
You do not need to share personal experiences if you don’t wish to do so
The focus group will be recorded and the text typed up for inclusion in the EU research which will look for themes based on the main topics within the group
Quotations of what is said in the group will be used in reports without identifying the person who made the statement
You are free to leave the group at any point should you find it difficult
Support will be provided onsite by the HSE National Social Office and Belong To satff should you need it

Informed consent

If you are selected for the focus group, information will be shared with you called ‘Informed Consent’.

This will outline the process and topics covered to make sure you fully understand what you will take part in. You can make a choice to continue or not continue once you have read the informed consent form.You will be asked to return this form with your initials digitally as part of an email confirming that you understand the process and wish to continue to participate if you choose to do so.

Informed consent will be discussed again on the day of the focus group.

You can download the informed consent form here.

Definitions

Gender-based violence refers to any type of harm that is perpetrated against a person or group or people because of their factual or perceived sex gender, sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual. The plus sign symbolises many other identities included under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella. The acronym LGBTI+ is used to refer to a broad community of people who have been historically marginalised due to their gender identify, sex characteristics or sexual orientation. When we talk about members of the LGBTQIA+ community we are referring people who identify with one (or more) identities included under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.

Information and support

Information about the EU Crisscross Project can be found here
Finding Your Way after Sexual Violence, information and support here
For information on urgent care including sexual assault supports go to: sexualwellbeing.ie
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre
National 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline available 24/7 for calls in English; Available Mon-Fri 8:00-18:30 excl. holidays, & Mon-Sun 00:00-08:00, incl holidays, in 240+ other languages via interpretation service. Deaf/hard of hearing English text service 0868238443, Mon-Fri, 8:00-18:30. Webchat in English Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00 & Tues-Weds 00:00-03:00, excl. holidays on drcc.ie 1800 77 8888
YourMentalHealth.ie has practical advice, services and supports to take care of your mental health. Freephone YourMentalHealth on 1800 111 888 or visit Y ourMentalHealth.ie.
Freephone Samaritans 116123, email jo@samaritans.ie or visit http://www.samaritans.ie for help in a mental health emergency or crisis
Text 50808: A 24/7 free text service, providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis. Text HELLO to 50808 or visit http://www.text50808.ie
Find a local substance use service at drugs.ie/services
The HSE provide a free, confidential and non-judgmental support service for people who use drugs where you can talk about your use of substances, what is going on for you and possible support options. Freephone the HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline on 1800 459 459 Monday to Friday 9:30am-5:30pm or email at helpline@hse.ie.
Transgender Equality Network Ireland: Teni
Belong To Youth Services

Need help now for domestic or gender based violence?

Get to a safe place quickly.
Call 999 for emergency services.
Call the National Helpline on 1800 77 8888