Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 73
Undertake comprehensive mapping and monitoring of specialist sexual violence and abuse support services
Recommendation
It is essential that the Government and other commissioning bodies have an understanding of the level of need and the current availability of specialist sexual violence and abuse services, including counselling and therapy and the support offered by Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs). As HMICFRS and HMCPSI have done, we recommend that the Government undertake a comprehensive mapping and monitoring exercise, covering the provision of specialist sexual violence and abuse services in England and Wales, similar to that which the Domestic Abuse Commissioner is focusing on for specialist domestic abuse services. This would need to be truly cross-Government, including the Department for Health and Social Care, and take account of integrated care systems, Police and Crime Commissioners and other sources of funding for these vital support services.
Government Response Summary
The government stated that data on specialist services is not centrally collated and committed to working to better understand data in this area, providing an update in due course, and also mentioned a new blended learning program for police officers.
Paragraph Reference:
73
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
This data is not currently collated centrally as the deployment of officers is a matter for Chief Constables. We are working to better understand the data in this area and will provide an update to the Committee in due course. The Home Office is also working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing to support the design of a new blended learning programme for police officers. This programme will incorporate the learning from Operation Soteria to strengthen investigative skills and enhance and embed specialist knowledge about sexual offending and victim engagement. It is due to be piloted in two police forces in Summer 2022.