Cheshire Needs Assessment for the Support Needs of Survivors of Sexual Violence

Task

In Cheshire it was estimated that there were approximately 21,000 victims of sexual abuse and violence in the year ending March 2017. However, only 11% of this estimated number was reported to the police, which is significantly lower than the national average of 17%.  

TONIC was commissioned by the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire to conduct a needs assessment for sexual abuse and violence survivors in order to inform the development of a strategic plan that aims to improve care and support.  

Our Approach

TONIC conducted a brief literature review to identify and exemplify what is generally considered to be good practise in this sector. This was conducted alongside a consultation in which 42 survivors and 73 stakeholders were engaged in regard to their knowledge and experience of the current support services available in Cheshire. Further, TONIC mapped local services and existing pathways while also analysing available data about local service performance. Thematic Analysis was conducted on the qualitative data in order to identify key trends that emerged from all strands of this assessment.  

The notable feedback that stakeholders provided was varied; however, several key themes were able to be drawn and summarised. Stakeholders overwhelmingly believed that the services currently available to survivors of sexual abuse and violence were of a very high standard; although, there were mixed and contrasting views around awareness of services and the experience of the criminal justice system. The general consensus was that there is a need for better joint working and the most consistent stakeholder concern was sustainable funding. Disclosure was a dominant theme that emerged from survivor engagement in the consultation particularly around the need to be believed at the point of disclosing their experience of sexual abuse and violence.  

Using the direct feedback provided by stakeholders and survivors alongside the literature review and data analysis, TONIC produced a comprehensive report that concluded with 10 recommendations informed by the consultation. 

Outcome

The 10 recommendations proposed by TONIC cover several areas of the sector including, but not limited to, the experience with the criminal justice system, reducing waiting lists, improving sexual abuse and violence training for police officers, and providing a wider choice of counselling options.    

These recommendations were informed by the voice of survivors, service users and stakeholders, and the literature, qualitative and quantitative data we gathered during the exercise and were presented to the commissioner as the areas that should take priority.