RESPONSE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
RESPONSE: Rape and Sexual Assault: developing a trauma-informed framework to providing health and social care support to survivors.
IRAS ID
331754
Contact name
Hayley Alderson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle University
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Rape and Sexual Assault: developing a trauma-informed framework to providing health and social care support to survivors.
The aim is to understand sexual assault survivors’ experiences of accessing health and social care services and develop a trauma informed framework to guide health and social care provision to sexual assault survivors.
Many individuals have been subjected to sexual assault, leading to a wide range of short, medium, and long-lasting problems. Currently, health and social care practitioners receive little or no training around sexual assault and often experience challenges in recognising it and knowing how best to respond to survivors. This can lead to survivors experiencing feelings of powerlessness and results in them actively avoiding seeking support even when they really need it. In response to this unmet need, The Survivors Trust (a specialist sexual assault organisation) and survivors of sexual assault have developed a campaign called #CheckWithMeFirst. However, little is known about what survivors and professionals think about #CheckwithMeFirst. This study will test the #CheckWithMeFirst resources and further develop them into guidance which will aid professionals to support survivors of sexual assault more sensitively. We will develop guidance jointly with Survivors of sexual assault and professionals. Then we will try them out to see if they work.
Ten individuals with lived experience, twenty-one professionals, a charity supporting survivors of sexual abuse, and four public lay members have been involved in developing the research idea and the design of the project. Survivors of sexual assault will be invited to be involved in all aspects of the research.
Findings will be shared nationally via The Survivors Trust who have access to 120 specialist member agencies around the UK and links with government departments.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0123
Date of REC Opinion
1 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion