Delivery of Sexual Assault Referral Centre could be sped up

Wednesday 15 June 2022

The Committee for Home Affairs has published its domestic abuse and sexual violence policy letter, designed to align with the recently approved Justice Framework and it could see a pilot Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) delivered faster.

If approved by the States Assembly, it will widen the scope of the Domestic Abuse Strategy to include incidences of sexual violence.

President of the Committee for Home Affairs Deputy Rob Prow says improving services for victims is one of the Committee’s strategic priorities, and “its workstreams will be prioritised through the Justice Action Plan”.

The Strategy defines domestic abuse as “any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of sex, gender orientation or sexuality". 

Sexual violence is understood to include any unwanted sexual act or activity, such as verbal comments, trafficking, and cases without consent. 

The Committee thanked various stakeholders - such as charities and political colleagues - for influencing the revised Strategy and said that support and collaboration is required to deliver improved services for victims. 

Pictured: A comparative breakdown of sexual offences reported over the last 10-years.

In 2020, 768 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to Bailiwick Law Enforcement. During the first months of the original covid-19 lockdown, calls to Police rose by 77% when compared to the same period in 2019.

Those requiring refuge accommodation rose 111% between 2019 and 2020, up from 44 individuals to 93.

Domestic abuse is also one of the top two reasons for children being placed on a protection register in recent years.

112 sexual offences were reported to Police in 2020. The Committee estimates close to 750 people experiencing sexual assault each year in the Bailiwick, since most cases go unreported.

As well as physical and mental consequences, these offences carry a significant economic cost. Home Affairs estimate that, for 2019, domestic abuse cost £3.86m in public services and £1.92m in lost economic output.

A lack of early intervention and prevention is argued to result in more expensive interventions.

Pictured: Deputy Rob Prow, President of the Committee for Home Affairs.

Deputy Rob Prow said the Strategy has allowed for vulnerable groups to have essential services and support coordinated towards them for “a number of years”. 

But he added: “Updating the Strategy and improving services continues to be a committee priority… A priority will be establishing a Sexual Assault Referral Centre. I am hugely grateful that Deputy Aldwell has agreed to be the Committee’s lead in this area and I have no doubt that her passion and determination will help to drive action.”

Deputy Sue Aldwell, Committee member of Home Affairs Member and the elected Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Lead, said she is delighted to be championing this agenda.

“The refreshed Strategy will provide a coordinated community response to these crimes which have a devastating impact and says quite clearly that they will not be tolerated. 

"As a government we have many priorities, reducing the incidents of domestic abuse and sexual violence and supporting survivors when this does occur it has to be a fundamental priority for any civilised society."

Pictured: Deputy Sue Aldwell will be the Committee lead for this policy.

Deputy Aldwell continued: “Domestic Abuse represents one quarter of all violent crime reported in the Bailiwick and it is accepted that both domestic abuse and sexual violence are crimes that are universally under reported. We can make improvements locally and I am absolutely committed to making sure this happens. 

“Our Committee’s immediate priority is seeing meaningful progress to establishing a SARC. The funds are allocated for a pilot scheme from 2023 and we need to do all we can to make sure we can deliver these critical services as soon as possible.”

You can read the policy letter in full HERE.