New research reports lack of co-ordinated support for sexual abuse victims

Families impacted by sexual abuse and sexual violence should be offered a full spectrum of support to help break the cycle of systemic harm, new research from the University of Suffolk has revealed.

The research highlighted that while many parents and carers are struggling to keep victims and survivors safe from suicide and self-harm, there is an added weight of having to manage a raft of other issues such as a lack of communication or understanding complex processes from multiple agencies such as police and social care services while often under financial hardship. 
 
For parents and carers, the impact of the trauma experience can be compounded by dealing with the full range of other issues leading to damaging long-term effects such as poor physical and mental health and managing feelings of isolation, guilt, shame and stigma.

In addition, the burden of financial responsibilities can create a significant strain, with many families experiencing loss of income and earnings, and in some cases loss of homes.
 
The research, commissioned by Restitute and funded by the Home Office via the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Fund, involved interrogating data sets from over 340 families and interviewing carers and parents to understand how systems can be improved to provide better support and outcomes for families. 
 
Restitute, is a small Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise that supports carers and third-party victims of crime was founded in Suffolk but now supports families across the UK.

The organisation has evidenced that a more cohesive approach can improve support and care including providing safe, effective interventions for the lead carer who can reduce the impact of abuse and violence while managing the sometimes-conflicting ways in which different agencies work. 
 
The findings of the research recommend that applying the “Restitute model” a flexible, strengths-based, non-time limited service that uses a wide range of practical and emotionally supportive approaches for parents and carers can significantly improve their wellbeing, physical and mental health, and confidence, resulting in better outcomes for victims and survivors.
 
Cath Pickles, CEO of Restitute said: "I'm delighted that the research and evidence produced by the University of Suffolk has shown that our relatively simple and incredibly cost-effective interventions are making a real difference to victims' lives through the work that we do independently with their families. 
 
“However, we have known for some time now that the harms being caused to families, who do the heavy lifting to keep victims safe and support their recovery could be made far less arduous, if families and carers were recognised as victims and treated with more compassion, understanding and respect than they currently are. We will continue to offer our services to parents and carers under extremely difficult financial constraints.”
 
The research also found that there is a continued high prevalence of sexual abuse and violence within our society which is showing no signs of decreasing and that long delays in police investigation and criminal justice processes, were causing further significant harms, alongside insensitive, and potentially harmful practices by a range of professions. 
 
Professor Jo Finch, who led the research at the University of Suffolk commented: “Our research highlighted that families impacted by sexual abuse and violence often experience prolonged anguish because of the struggle to interact with multiple agencies and manage financial hardships all while supporting the victims through their trauma. By working more cohesively, the stress on these families could be reduced and offer improved outcomes to all those impacted.”
 
Jess Asato, MP for Lowestoft and Officer of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Domestic Violence and Abuse said: “This report sets out the clear need to better support family and carers who are third-party victims of crime. While support for victims of sexual violence is threadbare, there is even less commissioned support for family members who have to pick up the pieces and often experience indirect trauma. 
 
“Restitute is an organisation which is filling an essential gap, but I hope the Government looks at the vital role of the family supporting victims in its forthcoming Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill.” 
 
To read the full research report, please visit the Restitute website here.