Multi‐Agency Work on Sexual Violence: Challenges and Prospects Identified From the Implemenation of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

Abstract

The current policy climate in Britain requires that agencies work together to improve their performance and provide a better service to clients. This is especially apparent in recent initiatives designed to improve the services afforded to victims of crime. Whilst there is an established literature dealing with both the potential benefits of, and challenges posed by, multi-agency work (for example, Crawford 1997;Hughes 2007;Maguire 2004;Pearson et al. 1992;Taylor 2003), the unique issues arising from multi-agency partnerships dealing with sexual violence have received less attention, even though the interface of criminal justice and health is a relatively new and unusual phenomenon warranting scrutiny. For the current study, interviews with professionals working together to develop a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) were conducted to address this gap. Positive aspects of multi-agency work identified by the respondents included: a shared concern over the poor quality of existing arrangements; a shared vision for a better response to victims; sharing a broader view of the victim; and having experience with, and commitment to, multi-agency work. Continuing challenges were noted as: sustained multiagency participation; diverse agency cultures; competing agendas and priorities across agencies and systems; funding and staffing issues; and future responsibility for, and ownership of, the SARC. Implications of the research are discussed.

Evaluation of a comprehensive interactive training system for investigative interviewers of children.

“…Indeed, it is a challenge inherent in most child abuse investigation environments due to the rapid turnover and varied experience levels of staff. Collaboration and highly integrated community culture among service providers is the keystone of an effective system for responding to sexual assault: it is critical for sustaining professional wellbeing, commitment and engagement (Robinson, Hudson, & Brookman, 2008;. The weakness of the system is not the differing views per se but the absence of proactive intervention processes to facilitate professionals' ability to identify and resolve differences in expectations or opinion.…”

Professionals' Perceptions of a New Model of Sexual Assault Investigation Adopted by Victoria Police

“…Concerns were also expressed about whether the current levels of leadership and collaboration between service providers would be maintained in the long term. Prior research indicates that a highly integrated community culture is critical for sustaining multi-agency participation and professional wellbeing, commitment and engagement (Robinson, Hudson and Brookman 2008;Wright, Powell and Ridge 2006). Stakeholders raised the need for further development of intra-and inter-agency collaboration strategies in the form of a more formalised and proactive approach to enhancing professional collaboration, and greater consideration of the geographic location and design of future MDCs.…”

Different yet complementary: Two approaches to supporting victims of sexual violence in the UK

“…In addition, SARCs, like multiagency risk assessment conferences (MARACs) for domestic violence, 7 were seen by respondents to be effective mechanisms for getting partnership work started, or enhanced, around sexual violence (Robinson et al, 2008). The sustained and pronounced participation from members of the health service in SARCs is evidence of SARCs facilitating a more 'joined up' approach across relevant systems.…”

“…In contrast to SARCs they are not formally affiliated with police or other statutory services (although they may work in partnership with such agencies). Like SARCs, however, they are premised on the idea of believing women and respecting their confidentiality and autonomy (Jones and Cook, 2008;Robinson et al, 2008). The important role played by voluntary projects such as Rape Crisis in helping victims overcome the trauma of sexual violence, and in getting sexual violence recognized as a significant social problem, cannot be overstated.…”

“…This 'one-stopshop' model of service provision attempts to counteract criticism highlighted by criminal justice inspectorates and the media (HM Government, 2010;HMIC and HMCPSI, 2007) by acknowledging the importance of multi-agency partnerships and collaborative efforts with respect to improving criminal justice performance. 3 For example, SARCs involve a partnership approach between the police and health services, and good liaison with other statutory and voluntary agencies in order to provide better support and care to victims (Lovett et al, 2004;Robinson et al, 2008). This in turn is expected to improve their confidence and subsequently their participation with the Criminal Justice System (CJS).…”