Phase 2 Rural Safety Study

Researchers from Wilfrid Laurier University are seeking participants for a research study about the experiences of safety and wellbeing by rural residents of the County of Brant.

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Wilfrid Laurier University Research Ethics Board (REB #6812). This research was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Researchers, led by Carrie Sanders, PhD, are studying the experiences of safety and wellbeing by rural residents of the County of Brant. Phase 1 of the study interviewed five participants in order to create a five-podcast miniseries that will be played for focus groups in Phase 2 of the study and will be publicly available in the WLU Centre of Research on Security Practices CRSP Talk (https://crsp-talk.simplecast.com). Phase 2 of the study will use the podcasts developed in Phase 1 to better understand experiences of rural residents through five focus groups. Based on data acquired through the focus groups, a set of recommendations will be created and given to the County of Brant Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan Committee about rural experiences of safety and wellbeing.

Researchers are currently recruiting 20 people to participate in one of five focus groups for Phase 2 of the study.

Participants for this phase of the study will:

• Be residents of the County of Brant but live outside of the boundaries of Paris. This study is about rural experiences.
• Be residents of the County of Brant for at least two years.
• Be comfortable speaking about crime, safety, and wellbeing in their community.
• Be willing to participate in one two-hour focus group with other 4 other community members.
• Speak on issues of safety and wellness from diverse points of view. Participants from equity-seeking groups are encouraged to consider learning more about the study.

If you are interested in learning more about this study and the opportunity to participate in a focus group about safety and wellbeing in the County of Brant, please contact:

Jocelyn Booton, MSSW

jbooton@wlu.ca

548-885-1015

*Researchers cannot guarantee that everyone will be able to participate in this phase of the study. $20 in gift cards will be offered as compensation for participants in Phase 2 of the study.

If you have questions at any time about the study or the procedures you may contact the Principal Investigator, Carrie Sanders, PhD at csanders@wlu.ca.