Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on criminal justice journeys of adult and child survivors of sexual abuse, rape, and sexual assault
Lead Research Organisation:
Coventry University
Department Name: Ctr for Intelligent Healthcare
Abstract
Over 150,000 sexual offences were recorded by the police in the year ending March 2020 (ONS, 2020), and there are indications that lockdown increased some sexual offences (e.g. online-facilitated abuse, sexual abuse perpetrated by family members) and decreased others (e.g. assaults by strangers/peers). However, there has been no research into the specific effects of Covid-19 on criminal justice system (CJS) policies and practices relating to sexual offences, nor on the journeys of survivors through the CJS during this period.
Prior to the pandemic, there were significant challenges for the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences and conviction rates were extremely low. Some of these challenges may well have been exacerbated by Covid-19 and lockdown e.g. further delays to investigating cases, postponement of Achieving Best Evidence interviews. At the same time, however, Covid-19 has generated significant innovation within the CJS e.g. the introduction of a video platform within the courts enabling all parties in a criminal hearing to engage securely and remotely, and this may sow the seeds for improvement in survivors' journeys through the CJS.
Drawing on the perspectives and experiences of CJS stakeholders, including complainants and families, police, Crown Prosecution Service, HM Courts and Tribunals Services, the Judiciary, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, this research will provide unique insights into the impact of the pandemic on the CJS in sexual offence cases. Changes to procedures precipitated by Covid-19 might offer longer-term benefits for survivors and stakeholders and we aim to identify these and promote their implementation.
Prior to the pandemic, there were significant challenges for the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences and conviction rates were extremely low. Some of these challenges may well have been exacerbated by Covid-19 and lockdown e.g. further delays to investigating cases, postponement of Achieving Best Evidence interviews. At the same time, however, Covid-19 has generated significant innovation within the CJS e.g. the introduction of a video platform within the courts enabling all parties in a criminal hearing to engage securely and remotely, and this may sow the seeds for improvement in survivors' journeys through the CJS.
Drawing on the perspectives and experiences of CJS stakeholders, including complainants and families, police, Crown Prosecution Service, HM Courts and Tribunals Services, the Judiciary, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, this research will provide unique insights into the impact of the pandemic on the CJS in sexual offence cases. Changes to procedures precipitated by Covid-19 might offer longer-term benefits for survivors and stakeholders and we aim to identify these and promote their implementation.
Organisations
- Coventry University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Arts and Humanities Research Council (Co-funder)
- The Judiciary (Project Partner)
- Avon and Somerset Police (Project Partner)
- The Male Survivors Partnership (Project Partner)
- Crown Prosecution Service (Project Partner)
- The Survivors Trust (Project Partner)
Publications
Munro V E
(2022)
Pivoting Through a Pandemic: Learning from Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Abuse
in Frontiers of Socio-Legal Studies
| Description | Could a moment like the Covid-19 pandemic shock the justice system into an improved response to survivors of sexual abuse and complainants in sexual offences cases? That is one of the key questions explored in JiCSAV, a multi-disciplinary project funded by the ESRC, which examines the justice journeys of survivors of rape and sexual abuse during the pandemic in England and Wales.Through 120 interviews with stakeholders across police, criminal justice, sexual assault referral centres, independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs) and survivors of sexual abuse, the JICSAV study has considered the ways in which Covid-19 and related restrictions, posed new challenges to survivors' experiences of the justice system. It explores the extent to which existing difficulties associated with inadequate resourcing and a lack of trauma-informed practice across the investigative, prosecutorial, and trial process were exacerbated, but it also identifies innovative practices that emerged, which have the potential to improve the future experiences of survivors of sexual abuse. The main insights relate to (i) impacts of digital communication for various stakeholder groups, for example the enhancement of cross working between professionals, and being able to offer greater flexibility in how clients can engage with support and therapy; (ii) testimony-giving for example discovering the downside of pre-recorded cross-examination (Section 28, Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999); (iii) being able to pinpoint some of the systemic issues underlying the blocks in the criminal justice system in sexual offences cases and the impacts of these on complainants and professionals, and make a range of recommendations to address these, for example, how to enhance the ways in which outcomes/decisions about cases are conveyed by the police to complainants to avoid distress/further trauma. |
| Exploitation Route | We continue to engage with media and central government, for example, the Ministry of Justice and the Home Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Investigation and Prosecution of Rape as well as with the third sector and police forces, to share our recommendations about resourcing, technology and trauma-informed practice, and see these implemented to increase good practice across investigative, prosecutorial, and trial processes in sexual offences cases. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| URL | https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-directories/current-projects/2020/jicsav/ |
| Description | Direct impacts of participation on complainants and victim/survivors of sexual abuse |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Victim/survivor participants in the JiCSAV project report the positive benefits of having a voice in the research, and in particular, being able to submit testimonials where they have often not felt justice was served or not felt believed or listened to through other mechanisms. Although there are only 30 such individuals in this study, this is a form of impact to report. They will have the opportunity to see final briefing which integrates their own voices with those of other CJS stakeholders. "I have to say that I felt heard and listened to through out the [research interview]. [staff member] has a very comforting way of asking and answering all the questions I felt really at ease through out the time spent on zoom with [staff member]". Members have occasionally joined other initiatives and projects as Public and Patient Involvement advocates/representatives. |
| Description | Presentation to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Areas of Research Interest Seminar Series |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Publication by Home Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Investigation and Prosecution of Rape |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/41665/pdf/ |
| Title | Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Criminal Justice Journeys of Adult and Child Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Rape and Sexual Assault, 2020-2022 |
| Description | The dataset is shared with the UK Data service. It is based on 72 interviews conducted with survivors/family members, and professionals from the police, SARCs and the third sector. The findings identify how the pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges, posed new difficulties, and provoked innovations that could improve the experiences of victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | N/A- there is currently a 12 month embargo on the dataset |
| Description | Blog published by Frontiers of Socio-legal studies (7/3/2022) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Blog published by Frontiers of Socio-legal studies (7/3/2022): Pivoting Through a Pandemic: Learning from Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Abuse - https://frontiers.csls.ox.ac.uk/pivoting-through/#continue This blog was released as part of International Women's Day 2022 Special Series, and is therefore likely to have reached audiences beyond academia/research and is part of an impact plan to submit findings arising from the JiCSAV project about s28 amongst other things to government in coming months. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://frontiers.csls.ox.ac.uk/pivoting-through/#continue |
| Description | Final JiCSAV workshop, May 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We showcased key findings arising from the previous 5 workshops and from 100+ interviews with participants. across the whole project. We invited previous workshop attendees of which there was approximately 150 members across police forces from across England and Wales, police and crime commissioners, third sector support services and independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs), policy-makers and advisors from central government and the Victims' Commissioners office, members of the judiciary, the CPS, and survivors of sexual violence. We discussed and gained feedback on draft recommendations regarding the way in which the criminal justice response to sexual offences can be improved, and to inform strategies for sharing and implementation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | First meeting of the Advisory and Partners (JiCSAV) 25/02/2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | CEOs and representatives of leading charitable organisations in England and Wales and those with lived experience (Advisory members) came together with police (Avon and Somerset Constabulary) and justice (Judiciary HHJ Sally-Ann Hales) and charity (Male Survivors Partnership and The Survivors' Trust) partners to meet the project team and to hear about project plans and help identify opportunities for recruiting participants and routes to impact. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Inside Government Crime blog (6/8/2021) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Blog shares early findings from the project |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://blog.insidegovernment.co.uk/criminal-justice/justice-for-sexual-violence-survivors-covid-19 |
| Description | Invited to be a panel contributor at Beyond Therapy- Festival of Activism Against Child Sexual Abuse, May 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Participated in a 9 person panel discussion about survivors experiences of the criminal justice system in relation to sexual offences. Discussion findings from the project and recommendations for making changes. This generated interest in the project and led to audience members asking for details about the project and access to findings when released. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Meeting with IPSOS UK- Section 28 findings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | As a result of presenting research findings to policy-makers in the Ministry of Justice as part of their Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Areas of Research Interest Seminar Series, this led to a meeting being subsequently set up between our team and team who are colleagues of the MoJ about our section 28 findings. Our team presented findings to 2 individuals from Ipsos UK to inform their process evaluation of Section 28 for the S.17(4) intimidated witness cohort. This subsequently led to conversations about S28 implementation and Ipsos UK attending our final workshop. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Areas of Research Interest (22/2/2022) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Research findings were shared with over 50 policy-makers in the Ministry of Justice as part of their Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Areas of Research Interest Seminar Series. Ongoing relationship building and engagement with various Ministry of Justice Policy Teams will support impact at national policy level for example led to an upcoming meeting between the MoJ and our team about our section 28 findings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Oral presentation at The Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre 19th Annual Conference April 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited presentation to share findings to practitioners about practice innovations that have arisen during Covid-19 for supporting survivors. This generated questions and dsicussion and raised awareness about the project, ahead of the release of the final project report. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Oral presentation at the Howard League for Penal Reform Conference Sept 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented as part of a panel presentation on 'Secondary victims of sexual crimes: Predictable, yet distinct trauma experiences for different groups of secondary victims. Presented findings based on research interviews with parents experiences of supporting children through the criminal justice system. One member of the audience was a editor of the 'Victims and Offenders' journal. Participation in the event led to being invited to submit to a special edition of the journal on secondary victims of sexual crimes |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Practitioner/researcher workshop on bringing lived experience into research /working with sensitive/trauma populations 16/11/2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited workshop with National Organisation for the Treatment of Abuse (NOTA); online, 16th November 2021, entitled 'Encouraging research participation among survivors of sexual violence and abuse: lessons from studies in justice and health.' The aim was to demonstrate lessons learnt on how to safely and ethically include survivors of sexual violence in research and also the benefits of designing and implementing research alongside those affected by the research (i.e. Patient and Public Involvement). We argue there are specific issues and challenges associated with engagement of trauma survivors and approaches to embedding lived expertise into the research. The event led to several communications with attendees inviting further workshops in different settings and also we produced a piece for the NOTA News which will be published in the coming weeks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.nota.co.uk/resources/online-training-dr-lorna-odoherty-and-dr-siobhan-weare/ |
| Description | Press release for JiCSAV project 23/02/2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | 'The Independent' media outlet submitted a request to cover any findings from the project exclusively. For The Independent to ask for exclusivity means that for any project news (e.g. project briefings), we would first offer it to them to publish. This means that we can be certain that the project will receive national coverage. As soon as they have published the news, it is then open to anybody, so we can support this with our own press release to see if anyone else is interested in picking up the stories afterwards. This is being considered at present and any such decisions will involve agreement of the funder. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/about-us/research-news/2021/jicsav/ |
| Description | Submission to Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) around COVID-19 (18/11/2020) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | JiCSAV has been listed on POST for Covid19. In October, the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) within UK Parliament published its first Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) around COVID-19. UK Parliament's COVID-19 ARIs were developed using insights from a survey of over 1,000 experts on COVID-19 and in consultation with select committee staff from across UK Parliament. They are lists of policy issues or questions. They are a way for an organisation to express interest in seeing more research evidence in certain topics. UK Parliament has put out a call for researchers and knowledge brokers to add any information about current or future research projects relating to these ARIs to a repository. The repository can then be used to inform the work of UK Parliament and the devolved legislatures in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Twitter account created/active @JiCSAV_ (25/02/2021) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The project has a Twitter account @JiCSAV_ which is used to maximise engagement with academics, CJS stakeholders, and the public by sharing research findings, evidence briefings, and press releases. All evidence briefings are published on the project's webpage to allow easy access for practitioners - https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-directories/current-projects/2020/jicsav/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/JiCSAV_ |
| Description | Workshop series for JiCSAV project May 2021 to Jan 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Around 150 members of stakeholder groups 5 workshops designed to engage and undertake knowledge exchange with criminal justice system (CJS) stakeholders; approximately 200 participants / representatives including police forces from across England and Wales, police and crime commissioners, third sector support services and independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs), policy-makers and advisors from central government and the Victims' Commissioners office, members of the judiciary, the CPS, and survivors of sexual violence. The workshops are: (i) an opportunity to make target stakeholders aware of our work in an accurate, relevant, timely, and accessible format; (ii) used to share initial research findings, and further synthesise these based on perspectives and feedback from participants. Any gaps in data collection are identified and addressed post-workshops (e.g. approaching additional interviewees). Workshops have been invaluable for knowledge exchange and dissemination of initial research findings; (iii) used to establish pathways for impact in relation to evidence briefings and the final project report. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| URL | https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-directories/current-projects/2020/jicsav/ |
| Description | iNews article covering third sector briefing 4/10/2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | iNews article entitled: 'Sexual abuse: Huge rise in survivors seeking support as Covid pandemic unleashed hidden traumas' covered findings from our first evidence briefing (ISVAs/third sector support services) - identifying the impacts of the pandemic on these services during the pandemic, and the innovations introduced by them https://www.coventry.ac.uk/globalassets/media/global/08-new-research-section/csels/research-briefing3.pdf |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/sexual-abuse-survivors-support-rise-covid-pandemic-hidden-traumas-122452... |