Developing and sharing best practice to support victims of sexual violence with learning disabilities and/or autism

Research shows that people with learning disabilities are at higher risk of sexual abuse than those without, and that women with learning disabilities are particularly vulnerable. When women with learning disabilities report rape/ sexual assault to the police, their reports are even less likely to result in a conviction. Studies of rape conviction rates show that victims with learning disabilities/ autism are more likely to see their cases 'drop out' of the criminal justice system, and at an earlier stage. However, there is limited evidence available explaining why this happens and how it can be improved.

Research already undertaken by Durham University with Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland, and Northumbria Police (Jobe & Williams et al 2020), found that the criminal justice system creates barriers to justice for people with learning disabilities/autism when reporting rape/ sexual assault. Barriers include police officers not recognising learning disabilities or understanding how learning disabilities might impact on evidence, lack of effective and inclusive communication, and a lack of appropriate support for victims. It is evident that practice needs adjustment to develop inclusive support for victims of rape/ sexual assault who have additional needs.

Working in partnership with the Principal Investigator's (Jobe) local police constabulary (Durham) and rape support service (RSACC), this project will extend the multi-agency partnership and evidence the impact of new Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) for learning disabilities/ additional needs in County Durham. Evidence will be captured through surveys of police officers and interviews with key multi-agency stakeholders. The project will also capture the impact of a theatre based training package which was co-produced by Jobe & Williiams, with Us Too- a group of a women with learning disabilities and/ or autism who have reported rape/sexual assault, supported by ARC England (Association for Real Change), and Open Clasp Theatre Company. The theatre based training was developed to train police officers and other service providers in responding to reports of rape/ sexual assault from women who are autistic or have a learning disability. Training will be used to develop service provider awareness and understanding of needs, and inclusive working practices.

Participatory workshops will be held to establish local multi-agency partnership working and better support pathways for victims of rape/ sexual assault with learning disabilities/ autism. Participatory workshops will include police, ISVAs, Intermediaries, SARC, social care, healthcare professionals, care professionals and third sector practitioners with expertise on gender based violence and learning disabilities and/or autism.

At the conclusion of the project, best practice from these activities will be shared via a national webinar, a project report, and an academic publication. Project outputs will be available via a dedicated webpage. Project findings will be used to develop a larger scale research bid focused on victims with learning disabilities and/or autism and Gender Based Violence.