Concerned that crimes against women and girls have been on the increase across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, the force has launched a survey.

These offences – which include rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, domestic violence, stalking, and harassment, amongst others – accounted for more than a quarter of all crime committed in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight during 2021.

A recent analysis also found that, overall, approximately 10 per cent of offences against women and girls are deemed to be violent in nature.

As a result – in conjunction with City University London and a host of other UK forces – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has launched a Victim Survivors Police Experience Survey for rape and other sexual offences. The survey aims to improve the ways in which we engage with victims of rape and other sexual offences, and thereby improve the victim-survivor experience of the police investigation and criminal justice process.

The short, anonymous, online questionnaire will seek to gauge the person’s experience and satisfaction of their interaction with the police and lead to recommendations to the constabulary, and the Home Office, in addressing how to improve police engagement with victims of sexual violence.

As part of the survey – which will last approximately six months – victims who have (or have had previous) experience in reporting a rape or other sexual assault to the police be invited to participate in a Victim Survivors Police Experience Survey.

The survey can be accessed via the City University London’s dedicated webpage – http://www.tinyurl.com/1experiencesurvey.

Detective superintendent Ellie Hurd, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary lead for rape and serious sexual offences, said: “Rape is one of the most complex and challenging crimes we deal with within the criminal justice system.

“It is one of our top priorities as a force and we work incredibly closely with partners such as the Crown Prosecution Service, Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre, victim support and victim advocacy services in order to provide the best possible service to victims of rape and serious sexual offences.

“Our officers and staff are dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for victims, but we recognise improvements are needed when it comes to measuring victim satisfaction; alongside making strides in improving how engagement with victims of rape and other sexual offences is handled.

“It is hoped that the findings of the pilot will allow us to implement key learnings locally, which may contribute to better policing responses provided to victims, increasing confidence in victims reporting offences and providing sufficient evidence to put perpetrators in front of the courts in order to get justice for victims.

“Rape and other sexual offences are really, really traumatic and impactive crimes, and this survey will inform improvements to our approach to policing these offences now, and in the future.

“We want to reassure victims of these offences that if rape and other sexual offences are reported to the police, that we take it incredibly seriously. We will treat, and do treat, victims with respect.

“We want to inform and empower you, and support you to make choices, and to work with us through the criminal justice system.

“We will continue to work in partnership with CPS Wessex to identify offenders and get justice for victims of rape and serious sexual assault cases where the evidence allows, and where that is what the victim wants.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner, Donna Jones, said: “Understanding victims’ journeys from that first call for help, and every step in the criminal justice system that follows, is absolutely paramount for police to bring about long lasting change to how they manage rape and sexual assault investigations.

“As Joint Victims lead for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, I have been calling for change in the way rape and sexual assaults are investigated, specifically improving support for victims and the way police and the CPS work together to take cases to court.

“As commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, I am really pleased my force is leading the way as one of the first forces in the country to actively seek out victim’s voices and ask for independent scrutiny to improve their service.

“I will be reviewing the feedback and ensuring views of those who have been brave enough to share their experience are listened to and acted upon.”

Dr Katrin Hohl from City University of London, and principal investigator of the study, said: “Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is one of the first forces in the country to actively and widely promote the survey as it launches in January 2023, and to encourage survivors whose case has been investigated by the force to take part, thus enabling survivor voices to be heard and acted upon. This is a really positive step.”

To find out more information about Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Victim Survivors Police Experience Survey, or how to get involved, please visit http://www.tinyurl.com/1experiencesurvey