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Sexual Violence Needs Assessment for Avon and Somerset

A sexual violence needs assessment for Avon and Somerset has been produced by Jennifer McMahon, Consortium Innovation Manager at Voscur, and independently peer-reviewed by Debra Allnock, Senior Research Fellow within the International Centre for research on Child Sexual Abuse at University of Bedfordshire.

This needs assessment covers the geographical area of Avon and Somerset, aligned with the Avon and Somerset Police Force Area. It includes five clinical commissioning group (CCG) and local authority areas: Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES); Bristol; North Somerset; South Gloucestershire; and Somerset. It builds on the SARC Health Needs Assessment, commissioned by NHS England and produced in 2017.

To date, there has been no sexual violence needs assessment in Avon and Somerset. There is little evidence as to the specific and varying needs of adult survivors of sexual violence in this region. Therefore the aim of this research is to ascertain the needs of survivors, and consider how adult sexual violence services in Avon and Somerset can better meet those needs.

The needs assessment has involved representatives from sexual violence services, the wider workforce and survivors of sexual violence themselves. Of those survivors who provided feedback, 100% felt their views were reflected in the needs assessment; and 100% had no further information to include. Their comments included:

“Survivor’s views were well represented in the needs assessment”

“I think the research you've done is amazing & highlights the main issues us Survivors have in accessing help. Many thanks for giving me the opportunity to work with you on this document.”

“Having read it I think it’s brilliant you are doing research and work like this to identify the needs and gaps in the services and sounds like a thorough and representative report. Thank you”

“I think you guys have done a good job”

We can now release the Sexual Violence Needs Assessment for Avon and Somerset and a Briefing for service providers, commissioners and policymakers with the findings and recommendations.