Researchers to map Suffolk sexual violence support for future strategies

Support services across Suffolk for victims of sexual violence will be mapped for the first time by researchers at the University of Suffolk, with the study set to inform the county’s future violence against women and girls and other key local strategies.

Researchers at the University’s Institute for Social Justice and Crime and Institute of Health and Wellbeing will be gathering insights from victims and survivors in January, as well as service providers and commissioners of support services, as part of the project.

The research comes at a critical time for support services in the county following the closure of Suffolk Rape Crisis in the summer, which has placed additional pressures on other support services and reduced the provision available locally.

Access to independent, specialist sexual violence support services has been identified as a crucial factor for victims during police investigations, with data from Suffolk Rape Crisis from 2023 reporting that 97 percent of those using the service felt more in control of their lives, with 89 percent feeling more able to assert themselves as a result of seeking help.

Data for Suffolk from 2022 indicated that victim survivors withdrew from police investigations in 45 percent of serious sexual offences.

In addition, figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales in 2020 estimated that only one in six victims of rape or assault by penetration reported the crime to police.

Previous research from the Institute for Social Justice and Crime found systemic constraints to support services in Suffolk, which included budget limitations and capacity issues.

The new research will map current provision of sexual violence support services in Suffolk, identifying gaps and duplications, highlighting good practices, and offer recommendations to inform future commissioning and strategic activity.

The review will cover all ages, all victims and all types of sexual violence across Suffolk, including historic and childhood sexual abuse.

Professor Miranda Horvath, Director of the Institute for Social Justice and Crime at the University of Suffolk said: “Ensuring victims of sexual violence have access to the right support services is crucial to their wellbeing. With so many victims withdrawing from police investigations after they have reported their experiences, more must be done to provide them with the support they deserve, which in turn could assist with sex offenders being brought to justice.

“This research will provide a vital evidence base to inform decision making in Suffolk around service provision in the future. The approach we are taking to create this evidence base has the potential to be rolled out in other counties and nationally.”

Professor Valerie Gladwell, Director of the University of Suffolk’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing said: “Sexual violence remains a significant problem in both Suffolk and the UK as a whole, and can have severe and long-lasting impacts on victims’ health, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“By ensuring the voices of victims, support services and commissioners are included in this research, we can help inform the future strategies which will deliver a cohesive, joined-up approach to support in our county.”

All victims and survivors of sexual violence who are aged 18+, organisations which support victims, and bodies that fund or commission services, are being urged to take part in the research, which will help inform the future direction of travel for services locally. 

Victims and survivors can take part in the survey here.

Professionals working with sexual violence support services can take part in this survey.

Funders and commissioners of support should fill in this survey to take part.

The study, which began in December, will report its findings in late March.

The project has been funded by NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, NHS England Health & Justice (East) and the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership, as well as the University of Suffolk’s Policy Support Fund.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I really welcome this research into sexual violence, there is an ongoing concern at victims’ reluctance to report these appalling crimes and too many are also withdrawing support from the investigations. There is a desperate need to improve detection and conviction rates.

“This new research will help identify gaps in provision which will highlight where additional investment is required, and how existing resources can be used much better. Overall, I believe this work will make a huge contribution to making Suffolk safer, in particular for women and girls.”

The researchers are already working with statutory providers such as sexual assault referral centres, as well as Suffolk-based providers, sexual violence advisors and voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations.

To find out more about the Institute for Social Justice and Crime, visit the webpage here.

For more information on the Institute of Health and Wellbeing, visit the website here.