Improving our service for survivors of sexual assault

Lincolnshire Police say….

Trigger warning: the following contains reference to rape and serious sexual assault and details our process for taking a first account from a victim/survivor which some may find triggering.

If you have experienced rape or sexual violence and choose to report this crime to Lincolnshire Police, a specially trained officer will attend to take a first account from you. They will use the Initial Contact Officer Investigation Log as a reference manual and to make a record of the details you give so we can investigate thoroughly and effectively.

In collaboration with Lincolnshire Rape Crisis, we have undertaken a total revision of this logbook, to make improvements and ensure that victims/survivors of sexually violent crimes are receiving a trauma informed response.

Understanding trauma is vital to establishing and maintaining trust from the person reporting a sexually violent crime. We, together with Rape Crisis, have looked at every detail in the logbook, adding information and updating the language, always prioritising the experience, safety and wellbeing of the victim/survivor. The new and revised version of the logbook now benefits from a trauma informed approached advised by specialists.  

Detective Superintendent Suzanne Davies said, “Rewriting this book was an important step towards making sure we are consistently delivering the best service we can with the victim/survivor at the heart of what we do. Working with Lincolnshire Rape Crisis was eye-opening and powerful. We were able to utilise their vast experience to make this a jointly branded initiative with input from people who have lived through it. Reporting sexual assault is incredibly difficult and can be traumatising in itself, so getting every element and detail of the initial contact right is immensely important. The language used and guidance included, is now truly trauma informed by experts and survivors. The book sets out the importance of empathy and sensitivity and of believing a victim; there is no place for blame or judgement.”

Everyone involved in this work has been motivated by the same outcomes:

• An improved and positive experience for victims/survivors.
• An improved,  supportive and sound tool for Initial Contact Officers.
• Better rates of conviction for perpetrators of sexual violence. 

Laura McKane, Chief Executive Officer of Lincolnshire Rape Crisis said, “A mutually supportive, joined up and transparent relationship between Lincolnshire Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Services and Lincolnshire Police is a step in the right direction of providing an unparalleled service. It has taken the voices of victims/survivors, professional integrity, transparency, recognition of specialisms and a shared understanding of our challenges and goals to create an investigation log that enhances the work of Lincolnshire Police. We believe that the new logbook, and working from a trauma informed perspective, will improve the experience of reporting for victims/survivors of sexual violence in Lincolnshire.”

This is a significant piece of work for Lincolnshire Police as part of our commitment under Op Soteria ensuring we are taking a victim centred approach when dealing with rape and serious sexual offences. 

A vital question has been added acknowledging the known risk associated with strangulation – we will now ask “did the offender place any pressure around your neck or throat with their hands or an object?” Behind this is the chilling fact that people who have been strangled by an intimate partner are 7.5 times more likely to be killed by that partner in the future. We will complete a risk assessment and establish a safe telephone number for the victim/survivor.

Support and information for victims/survivors

Here you can find out about the support for victims of sexual assault. This includes Lincolnshire Rape Crisis, and information on a 24 hour support line on 0808 500 2222.

Here you can find out how to report a sexual assault.

If you don’t want to go to the police, you could go to Spring Lodge, the local sexual assault referral centre (SARC). The trained staff there can give you confidential medical help and advice. They can also gather evidence for you to use at a later date, if you decide to report the assault to the police. They won’t contact the police unless you want them to.

Here you can read more about what happens after you report rape or sexual assault.