Survey Research Project: Understanding Experiences of Harm Among Current and Ex Catholic Women Religious

What is the research study about?

Life as a woman religious can be deeply meaningful and fulfilling. However, research also shows that some women religious experience challenges, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, emotional abuse, financial abuse, labour exploitation, physical abuse, sexism, spiritual abuse, and sacramental coercion. This research aims to better understand these experiences and learn directly from women religious to help strengthen safeguarding practices.

Who is conducting the research?

This research is being conducted by Australian researchers, Dr Kathleen McPhillips and Dr Tracy McEwan from the University of Newcastle’s School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Science with German researchers, Prof. Dr Ute Leimgruber and Dr. Magdalena Huerten from the Faculty of Catholic Theology, University of Regensburg, Germany.

Who can participate in the research?

This research study is recruiting women who are aged over 18 years and who meet the following criteria:

  1. Have been or are currently a Catholic woman religious
  2. Are currently living in Australia and/or a German-speaking country (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, or Luxembourg).
  3. Are fluent in English and/or German, and able to freely understand this document and give consent to participate in the study.

The research study is not suitable for:

  1. Women of other faith traditions
  2. Women who consider their mental health to be unstable, or who feel that participating in this study may not be in their best interests or may negatively impact their mental health.

Particiants sought for a research study

We invite all catholic women religious in Australia and German-speaking counties to participate in a survey on exprience of harm and safeguarding

Learn more

Support services

You can also contact these services should you need support regarding any of the issues raised in the research activities.

1800 Respect

Lifeline

  • 24/7 national counselling telephone service
  • Phone 131144

Beyond Blue

  • 24/7 National Telephone counselling service
  • Phone 1300 224 636

More information

If you would like more information about this research project and your potential involvement, please contact Dr Kathleen McPhillips (kathleen.mcphillips@newcastle.edu.au) or Dr Tracy McEwan (tracy.mcewan@newcastle.edu.au) from the University of Newcastle’s School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Science.

This project is funded by the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation, Australia

This research project has been approved by the University of Newcastle Research Ethics Committee, Reference No: H-2024-0211