Page 4 - SafeLinkEvaluation

Executive summary:
SAFE Link’s Learning Disabilities ISVA service
• SAFE Link currently operates a programme • of services across the Avon and Somerset
Police Authority Area offering practical and emotional support to female, male, and child victims of rape and sexual abuse.
• In April 2017, SAFE Link launched an • Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service for survivors with LD. Alongside supporting clients, the ISVA role has an educational function within the wider care community sector.
• This evaluation shows that since its launch, up until the time of writing, the service supported
41 clients with a range of presenting LD.
Clients were mostly aged 21-40 (average 34). • Most were heterosexual and White British.
• The most common form of assault was rape (46.3%) and in many cases the perpetrator was a friend or acquaintance. At least one client experienced violence in their supported accommodation.
• All clients experienced additional vulnerabilities: over half had mental health disorders (e.g., depression, 21.7%). Over half reported concurrent abuse, often related to their LD (e.g., hate crime). Many were reliant on benefits and faced significant financial difficulties.
• The most common types of support the ISVA provided were with the CJS and with healthy relationships. With the ISVA’s support, most clients (85%) reported to the police. Eleven cases went to trial and four resulted in convictions.
• The ISVA supported clients through police interviews, making sure intermediary support was in place, and that interviews could be done over several sessions at a suitable
pace, with questioning adapted to their communication needs. The ISVA ensured that client capacity was properly assessed and recognised, and that their wishes and best interests were central to any decisions made. She also supported clients through potentially retraumatising court processes.
As part of safety-planning, the LD ISVA paced discussions about healthy relationships and sex education. For some clients, no one had spoken to them about healthy relationships before.
Cope and recover outcomes showed a marked percentage change from t1 (before ISVA’s support) to t2 (case closure) in all domains: improved health and wellbeing (56.6% increase); increased safety and perception thereof (43.5% increase); reintegration (28.2% increase); feeling informed (66.6% increase) and improved experience of CJS (36.5% increase).
Client interviews supported these findings: clients said the ISVA service improved their health and wellbeing through enduring emotional support; that she provided clear and consistent communication, adapted to their needs; she led them to integrate into their communities and gain confidence; and that they would recommend the service to others. Feedback from carers and parents showed that the ISVA service provided unique and much valued support.
• 15 services completed a survey on what they thought about the ISVA role: all agreed or strongly agreed that the service empowered client(s) to make informed choices following their experience of sexual violence; led to client(s) engaging, coping, and recovering from their sexual violence experience; led to better coordination of care; and raised awareness around the issue and on how best to adapt communication with survivors with LD.
• Almost all respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the service had a clear referral pathway and a clear role, responsibility, and support package. All agreed or strongly agreed that it met an unmet need for people with
LD; improved information-sharing between agencies/services; led to fewer clients falling through gaps in services; worked well in partnership with their service /agency; and had regular and clear communication with their service/agency.
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