A personal network analysis of sexual violence reporting: exploring the role of close friends and families on a survivor's decision to report, or not

The proposed research will apply personal network analysis to investigate a survivor's decision to report, or not report, their sexual victimisation to the police. This research will further Burt's (2005) model of 'brokerage and closure' to the field of gender-based violence research - this approach visually maps and statistically measures social capital distributions throughout personal networks (i.e. close friends and families surrounding a focal actor). By utilising this approach, the research seeks to illustrate the role of personal networks (i.e. close friends and families) in directing, or stymying, resources (e.g. support or information) towards a survivor and how this affects the decision to report. Additionally, it will explore the divergent reporting decisions amongst survivors alongside adherence to, and deviations from, personal network influences. To do so, the study will apply an advanced methodological approach that combines narrative interviews with quantitative network analysis, to contextualise the subjective experiences of survivors relative to their networks. This approach will provide a nuanced understanding of survivor-network interactions and crucially, a comparative framework from which to examine intersectionalities and outcomes. Moreover, it will highlight the characteristics of personal networks that can successfully support survivors who are deciding if to report and also, identify those which may harm survivors. The findings will inform outreach programmes, such as advocacy or support services, enabling them to target those vulnerable to isolation and marginalisation within their networks as a priority whilst considering the impact of influential networks on the less isolated or marginalised. It should also benefit public education initiatives and interventions that emphasise micro-level social influences on a survivor's well-being and their decision to report.