Why it matters: The research, commissioned by key local organisations including Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner in December 2024, reveals significant gaps in current provision, with unclear signposting and delays in the criminal justice system acting as barriers for those seeking help.
The report was published on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, along with eight recommendations to improve support services.
The details: The study was conducted by academics from the University's Institute for Social Justice and Crime and Institute of Health and Wellbeing, who gathered evidence from victim-survivors, support service providers and commissioners.
Researchers identified several challenges:
Signposting to support services was often unclear, deterring victim-survivors from seeking help
Delays in referrals and accessing support were common
Rural areas faced particular difficulties due to the urban location of most services
Specialist therapeutic support was not consistently available
Delays in the criminal justice process hampered victims' confidence
One practitioner described the wait for victims between reporting a crime and trial as "agonising," while a victim-survivor said the thought of going to court was "deeply unpleasant".
What they're saying: Professor Miranda Horvath, Director of the Institute of Social Justice and Crime, said: "Access to support for victim-survivors of sexual violence is a national problem, and we can see from the data in Suffolk that gaps in provision and barriers for accessing help can have a huge impact on victim-survivors".
Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I really welcome this comprehensive research on sexual violence. “Looking ahead it is crystal clear there needs to be a much more powerful commitment to collaboration and multi-agency working to improve the support and help provided to victims of this appalling crime.
“If we are to reduce the prevalence of sexual offences in Suffolk concerted action is required throughout the criminal justice system to bring offenders to justice. Much more also needs to be done to make sure our youngsters are brought up knowing how to make the right choices in life and what exactly healthy relationships involve.”
The bigger picture: The research highlighted that inconsistent funding has meant that support services cannot always meet demand. This was exacerbated by the closure of Suffolk Rape Crisis last summer, putting further pressure on existing services.
Few understand the impact of these financial pressures than Fiona Ellis, director of Survivors in Transition:
We advocated this research because survivors of sexual violence have been largely unsighted in our system for too long. Due to their often complex presentation, they get caught in revolving doors between services that don't understand or effectively respond to their needs.
The report is just the first step in terms of highlighting some of the issues survivors face - the collaborative work between commissioners, service providers and policy makers must continue at pace for this to be meaningful and ensure survivors in Suffolk are taken seriously and there are clear strategies and plans that address sexual violence specifically.
We will use this as an opportunity to hold our system to account, take on board the learning and implement recommendations together.
What's next: The eight recommendations include:
A single 'front-door' approach to manage demand while retaining direct access to existing services
Coordinated action for greater certainty of future funding
Clearly defined terminology across policy and practice
Enhanced multi-agency collaboration
Improved prevention and early-intervention measures
A trauma-informed approach to service provision
Better data collection, particularly for minoritised groups and male victims
Development of evidence-based best practice
The bottom line: The findings will be used by Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership, and NHS England to inform future policy-setting locally.
