Operation Soteria

‘Keeping others safe from harm’ and ‘ensuring consequences are faced’ among key asks of victims of rape and sexual offences as police experience survey results released

An academic-led study by City University London, which focused on the police experiences for victims of rape and other sexual offences, has found that an overwhelming 86% of respondents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight felt the necessity for police involvement in their case was important to stop the person from re-offending.

It follows a national scheme aimed at transforming the policing response to rape and other sexual offences – as part of the National Police Chiefs’ Council Operation Soteria programme – to improve the ways in which Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary engages with victims. Thereby, improving the victim-survivor experience of the police investigation and criminal justice process.

Based on 118 responses from victims across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight during a 12-month period between July 2023 and June 2024; it was further suggested that a large majority (77%) of victims wanted to ensure the person responsible understood what happened was wrong by involving the police.

Likewise, a similar number of respondents (73%) felt that by reporting the initial incident to police it sought to promote a feeling of safety amongst victims and others who may have been impacted by such offences.

Detective Superintendent David West, said: “Rape and other sexual offences investigations are some of the most complex cases that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary work on, and each case requires careful review and collaboration between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

“We know significant change is needed in the way police forces approach rape investigation, to improve the experiences of victims, to tighten our grip on offenders and to improve charge and conviction rates.

“The only way we are going achieve real change is to take an open and honest look at the way we work, within our own police force and alongside the wider criminal justice system with key partners like the CPS.”

During the study, more than half of victims (58%) shared that their main reason for reporting was to keep others safe from harm. 50% of victims wanted to ensure that person responsible faced the consequences of their actions.

More than a third (38%) of victims said they have previously withdrawn from investigations as they did not feel supported enough by the Constabulary, and at the same time, 31% felt under pressure from the police to drop the case.

Yet just under a third (31%) said they were withdrawing their support due to the investigation having a negative impact on their own mental health.

D/Supt David West, responding to what can be done to ensure victims remain engaged with the investigation process, said: “We are acutely aware that we need to be doing more by our victims to ensure that they are empowered by providing them with more information about their rights and entitlements throughout the investigative process.

“Appreciating that rape and sexual offences can often leave victims feeling vulnerable, we must hold our hands up as police officers and police investigators, and say that we need to show more kindness and understanding to our victims.

“In doing so, it would no doubt have a positive impact on the engagement we receive from victims, all the while seeking to further reassure them and demonstrate that we are doing our utmost to protect them from those responsible for committing these heinous acts.”

Other findings from the academic study in relation to Hampshire and Isle of Wight included:

• Police always made victims feel safe in their presence (67%), believed (58%) and listened to (57%)
  
  
• Nearly two thirds (63%) of victims felt police made them feel as if what happened to them was serious almost or mostly all of the time. Similarly, 62% felt police made them feel what happened was not their fault.
  
  
• More than half (52%) felt police made them feel as if they had done the right thing by reporting the incident.
  
  
• 50% of victims would report a sexual offence again compared to 41% in other UK forces. More than two thirds (67%) would encourage a friend to report a sexual offence compared to 59% in other force areas
  
  
• Half of victims (50%) agreed that police in their case, specifically, were doing a good job overall
  
  
• Just under two thirds (64%) would report other crimes to police compared to 54% in other UK forces

D/Supt David West, surmising the academic study results, said:

“Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary were the fifth highest contributing force as part of this study.

“We want to show local communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that no matter the circumstances, we are committed to delivering the best possible service that we can to victims of rape and other sexual offences.

“We want to reassure those affected by these crimes that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, working alongside independent victim advocacy groups such as ‘Yellow Door’ will help you get the support. We will treat you with fairness, dignity and respect, prioritising your safety first. We hope in doing so that your confidence in the police will improve which in time will lead to more effective investigations and better outcomes.”