Exploring the similarities and differences amongst service users with and without learning disabilities attending Saint Marys Sexual Assault Referral Centre

From Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-12-11, rev-recd 2023-02-23, accepted 2023-07-14, epub 2023-07-28Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedFunder: NHS England Health and Justice Team; Grant(s): n/aBackground: People with learning disabilities are over‐represented amongst Sexual Assault Referral Centre service users. This work aims to explore the similarities and differences between service users with and without learning disabilities. Method: Medical notes of 52 service users likely to have a learning disability were compared with 52 service users not likely to have a learning disability (according to the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire); all of whom attended Saint Marys SARC for a forensic medical examination during a 12‐month period. Results: Significant associations were found between the likelihood of learning disability and relationship to perpetrator; location of assault; alcohol use; time taken to present to SARC; domestic violence; self‐harm; suicide attempts and mental health service involvement. Conclusions: People with learning disabilities in the sexually assaulted population are more likely to present with intersecting vulnerabilities emphasising the need for timely, accessible and appropriate patient‐centred care for this group

Measuring the Long-term Support Needs of Adult Service-users at Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre

This article outlines a feasibility study to investigate the potential of measuring the support needs of adult service users of a sexual assault referral centre (SARC). A self-completion questionnaire was designed with the aim of capturing these needs, as well as how they change over time and with support provided. The questionnaire underwent revisions following consultations with organisations representing survivors. Survivors of sexual assault who attended Saint Mary’s SARC were invited to complete a questionnaire at three-month intervals after their first visit to the SARC. The process of recruitment was necessarily complex, potentially compounding the issue of low response: only 18 participants completed the questionnaire at the first time point, and only nine of those completed a follow-up questionnaire three months later. The responses demonstrated the value of connecting information gathered by forensic physicians with a social survey. This study design reduced the potential of re-traumatisation by avoiding the need for participants to revisit any details of the alleged assault. More work is required to understand what methods will help establish an enduring commitment to completing follow-up questionnaires from a population dealing with the aftermath of trauma

Measuring the Long-term Support Needs of Adult Service-users at Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre

This article outlines a feasibility study to investigate the potential of measuring the support needs of adult service users of a sexual assault referral centre (SARC). A self-completion questionnaire was designed with the aim of capturing these needs, as well as how they change over time and with support provided. The questionnaire underwent revisions following consultations with organisations representing survivors. Survivors of sexual assault who attended Saint Mary’s SARC were invited to complete a questionnaire at three-month intervals after their first visit to the SARC. The process of recruitment was necessarily complex, potentially compounding the issue of low response: only 18 participants completed the questionnaire at the first time point, and only nine of those completed a follow-up questionnaire three months later. The responses demonstrated the value of connecting information gathered by forensic physicians with a social survey. This study design reduced the potential of re-traumatisation by avoiding the need for participants to revisit any details of the alleged assault. More work is required to understand what methods will help establish an enduring commitment to completing follow-up questionnaires from a population dealing with the aftermath of trauma

Staff experiences of working in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre: the impacts and emotional tolls of working with traumatised people

This study considers the impacts on staff of supporting people who have reported sexual violence and attend a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). This paper focuses on the staff’s perspectives of the stresses and emotional tolls they experience including the coping mechanisms they utilise. Semi- structured interviews were conducted with 12 staff, and a focus group was held with a further four staff of a SARC. The data were examined using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that staff experienced positive emotions connected to the meaningfulness of the work and team spirit as well as a range of unpleasant emotions. Staff also reported emotional numbing, in connection to the specificity, volume and sometimes unpredictable nature of the work. Coping mechanisms used by staff focused on the supportive connection to family, nature, and other team members; the value of clinical supervision; and the avoidance of topics related to work

Identifying the prevalence of genital injuries amongst patients attending Saint Mary's sexual assault referral centre following an allegation of digital penetration

This study aimed to (1) add to the limited evidence base regarding genital injury associated with digital vaginal penetration and (2) identify predisposing or protective factors to the identification of a genital injury. Data collection was performed retrospectively on the paper case files of 120 female adult (>18 years) patients alleging digital vaginal penetration with no penile vaginal penetration that had an acute FME at Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Manchester. Descriptive statistics were used to investigate differences in the demographics of those reporting digital penetration, with and without injuries. Overall, 18% had genital injuries noted at the time of the FME. Posterior fourchette was the most common location of genital injury and abrasion was the most common injury type. It is worth further noting that all 22 patients where an injury was noted were of white ethnicity, only 12 patients in the sample were not white so caution is needed in interpretating this finding of a non-significant difference. Future research should consider injury and ethnicity more specifically. The findings from this study add to the existing evidence base and should prove useful to expert witnesses when called upon to interpret examination findings of sexual assault complainants as they relate to an allegation of digital penetration