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Supporting victims of sexual violence: whose responsibility?

Carol Ward (Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Coventry, UK)
Dianne Whitfield (Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Coventry, UK)
Samantha A. Piggott (Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Coventry, UK)

Journal of Integrated Care

ISSN: 1476-9018

Article publication date: 30 September 2013

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share the challenges of, and learning gained by a voluntary sector organisation, Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC) in providing integrated care to victims of sexual violence.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first considers the big picture, focusing on the current UK public sector commissioning environment, the policy commitment to integrated care, and challenges a current focus on definitions of integration that do not consider wider determinants of health and well-being. As an example of client groups who may not meet narrow criteria, but require person centred coordinated care, the needs of victims of sexual violence are explored, illustrated by a case study within CRASAC.

Findings

Challenges faced by CRASAC include identifying responsibility for specialist commissioning, maintaining strategic partnerships and a lack of cross-sector understanding of the needs of victims of sexual violence. Key learning points are the need to form strategic alliances and partnerships, to lobby and influence decision makers, to develop monitoring tools that demonstrate impact on long-term client outcomes and to constantly raise awareness of the needs of victims of sexual violence. Final reflections focus on the questions these issues raise for the future of specialised integrated care in the voluntary sector.

Originality/value

The paper is of value to commissioners in health, social care and the criminal justice system, in addition to providers of services that are in contact with victims of sexual abuse. These include health, criminal justice, education, police and social care, alongside other voluntary and community sector organisations.

Keywords

Citation

Ward, C., Whitfield, D. and A. Piggott, S. (2013), "Supporting victims of sexual violence: whose responsibility?", Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 21 No. 5, pp. 238-247. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICA-06-2013-0021

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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