The scope, range and use of voluntary sector specialist sexual violence services in England: findings and recommendations from a national study

Bradbury-Jones, Caroline, Damery, Sarah, Fruin, Kirsten, Gunby, Clare ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8428-6621, Harlock, Jenny, Hebberts, Lucy, Isham, Louise, Jones, Anne-Marie, Maxted, Fay, Mighty, Amelia, Parmar, Priti, Patterson, Laura, Schaub, Jason, Scott, Fee, Smailes, Harriet, Smith, Debs and Taylor, Julie (2025) The scope, range and use of voluntary sector specialist sexual violence services in England: findings and recommendations from a national study. Health and Social Care in the Community. ISSN 0966-0410 (In Press)

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Abstract

Sexual violence is a global problem with significant individual and societal health and social costs. Services that support victim-survivors of sexual violence across a range of sectors are crucial. This study investigated the scope, range, funding and commissioning of voluntary sector specialist (VSS) sexual violence services in England and victim-survivors’ experiences of using such services. The specialist voluntary sector plays a pivotal role in providing crisis and longer-term support to victim-survivors. However, there is limited empirical evidence about the scope, range and use of VSS provision, or what victim-survivors value and want from services. The aim of the study was to address this gap and provide much-needed evidence to inform the VSS sector nationally. This co-produced study included five co-researchers and one co-applicant with lived experience of sexual violence. There were three empirical phases: 1: Exploratory interviews with commissioners and service providers and focus groups with victim-survivors; 2: National survey of service providers and commissioners; 3: In-depth case study analysis in four areas of England. The purpose of this paper is to synthesise the findings from each of these phases and map them onto a conceptual model, encompassing six themes: the complex and precarious funding landscape; the challenge of competition for funding and contracts; the role of partnership working; the pressured environments within which VSS services work; the different roles, scope and eligibility of voluntary and statutory services within an area; the ways services are delivered, underpinned by services’ values and philosophies. The study provides new, empirical insights into how these arrangements affect those connected with the services – namely, staff, volunteers, and victim-survivors. The paper sets out 14 recommendations for all parties involved in the funding and commissioning of specialist services, including commissioners, grant funders and VSS organisations in England.