Integrated Service Response to Sexual Assault: A Queensland Case Study
Tracks
Ballroom One
| Wednesday, December 1, 2021 |
| 2:04 PM - 2:24 PM |
Overview
Ms Liane Mcdermott, Queensland Centre For Domestic And Family Violence Research, Cquniversity
Speaker
Dr Liane Mcdermott
Senior Research Officer
Queensland Centre For Domestic And Family Violence Research, Cquniversity
Integrated Service Response to Sexual Assault: A Queensland Case Study
Abstract
Integrated Service Response to Sexual Assault: A Queensland Case Study
A coordinated, multidisciplinary response can improve the care of sexual assault victims, increase reporting and mitigate potential re-victimisation of victim-survivors who engage with the criminal justice system. Integrated sexual assault service responses are often referred to as Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs). SARTs have operated since the 1970s in the USA, and typically include sexual assault/forensic nurse examiners, police, prosecutors, medical examiners and victim advocates. In Australia, SARTs are a newer concept.
This paper reports on the evaluation findings of a two-year SART trial implemented in regional Queensland from July 2017 to June 2019. The study utilised a mixed-methods research design (incorporating quantitative and qualitative methodologies) to explore the development and implementation of the model, and elements of best practice to support victims of sexual assault. Findings presented here draw on two focus group interviews with members of the SART and semi-structured individual interviews conducted over the two-year trial with SART members (n=14); sexual assault support workers (n=10); and survivors of sexual assault (n=5). The interviews were transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach.
This paper will provide insight into best practice principles which are victim-centred and violence- and trauma-informed, along with specific factors that contribute to an improved service response for survivors of sexual assault. Principles and practices that enable a successful integrated and coordinated approach will also be discussed, alongside implications surrounding the sustainability and transferability of a SART model.
3 Key Learnings:
1. A strong commitment to a victim-centred approach among all SART members is integral to ensuring victim-survivors’ needs and choices are central and secondary victimisation is reduced.
2. Ensuring all SART members are trauma-informed provides victim-survivors with specialised trauma-informed care from initial contact and throughout their healing and recovery journey, for as long as they are required.
3. Successful collaboration between agencies requires clear and formalised protocols and procedures to enable a timely and integrated service response, ensuring victim-survivors receive immediate crisis support at the critical point of trauma, and throughout their ongoing engagement/involvement with services.
A coordinated, multidisciplinary response can improve the care of sexual assault victims, increase reporting and mitigate potential re-victimisation of victim-survivors who engage with the criminal justice system. Integrated sexual assault service responses are often referred to as Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs). SARTs have operated since the 1970s in the USA, and typically include sexual assault/forensic nurse examiners, police, prosecutors, medical examiners and victim advocates. In Australia, SARTs are a newer concept.
This paper reports on the evaluation findings of a two-year SART trial implemented in regional Queensland from July 2017 to June 2019. The study utilised a mixed-methods research design (incorporating quantitative and qualitative methodologies) to explore the development and implementation of the model, and elements of best practice to support victims of sexual assault. Findings presented here draw on two focus group interviews with members of the SART and semi-structured individual interviews conducted over the two-year trial with SART members (n=14); sexual assault support workers (n=10); and survivors of sexual assault (n=5). The interviews were transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach.
This paper will provide insight into best practice principles which are victim-centred and violence- and trauma-informed, along with specific factors that contribute to an improved service response for survivors of sexual assault. Principles and practices that enable a successful integrated and coordinated approach will also be discussed, alongside implications surrounding the sustainability and transferability of a SART model.
3 Key Learnings:
1. A strong commitment to a victim-centred approach among all SART members is integral to ensuring victim-survivors’ needs and choices are central and secondary victimisation is reduced.
2. Ensuring all SART members are trauma-informed provides victim-survivors with specialised trauma-informed care from initial contact and throughout their healing and recovery journey, for as long as they are required.
3. Successful collaboration between agencies requires clear and formalised protocols and procedures to enable a timely and integrated service response, ensuring victim-survivors receive immediate crisis support at the critical point of trauma, and throughout their ongoing engagement/involvement with services.
Biography
Dr Liane McDermott is a Senior Research Officer with the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research (QCDFVR). Prior to commencing with the Centre in 2016, Liane had worked in public health and social research for over 20 years, leading and coordinating a breadth of research projects on behaviour change and the health and wellbeing needs of communities. Since commencing with QCDFVR, Liane has largely conducted evaluation research of service delivery and programs relating to women’s longer-term recovery from domestic and family violence, integrated service responses to gendered violence, men’s domestic violence interventions and DFV training for police.
