More information about the project
You are invited to take part in some research which aims to explore the experiences of survivors of rape through the criminal justice system.
Before you decide whether to participate in the research, it is important that you understand what this will involve. Please take as much time as you need to read the following information carefully.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspects police forces and fire and rescue services to make sure that they are as effective as possible. HMICFRS has asked Opinion Research Services (ORS), a research company, to interview adult rape survivors who reported the incident (or incidents) to the police. The interviews will explore how the police and other criminal justice system agencies responded to survivors’ report(s) of the incident(s).
This is an important piece of research which will contribute to an inspection of the problems surrounding the investigation and prosecution of rape across England and Wales. This inspection is being undertaken jointly with Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI). The findings from this evaluation will build on the recently published report by HMCPSI and the London Rape review. Our findings will help to make sure that the police and the criminal justice system respond to reports rape incidents in the right way. This will help to improve the services that rape survivors receive in future.
To take part:
- You must be aged 18 or over;
- Both you and suspect(s) must have been aged 18 or over at the time of the incident(s);
- The incident(s) must have happened in England or Wales on or after the 1st of April 2017;
- You must have reported the incidents(s) to a police force in England or Wales; and
- The investigation and any subsequent criminal prosecution or civil proceedings have been concluded at the time of participation
If you agree to take part, we will contact you to arrange an interview with a trained, experienced ORS researcher about your experiences of reporting the rape incident(s) to the police and the criminal justice system. Please be reassured that all safety and ethical/safeguarding considerations will be met.
If you would feel more comfortable speaking with a male researcher, that is fine: please let us know. It is also fine for a support worker, friend or family member to be present during your interview if you think this is something which will be help.
The interview is likely to take between 60 and 90 minutes We will ask you questions about your experience of the police and the criminal justice system, although you don’t have to answer any questions you do not want to and you will not be asked about the specific details of the incident(s). You will be free to stop the interview at any time. If you agree, we would like to record your interview to make sure that we hear everything that you have to say.
If you agree to take part, you will be offered a small token of thanks (£30) for doing so and to cover any expenses you incur.
It is up to you to decide whether you want to take part. If you decide to take part, you will be provided with an information sheet and asked to sign a consent form. You are free to stop taking part at any time without giving a reason. If you change your mind about taking part, please contact a member of the ORS project team (contact details can be found under ‘contact for further information.’
We will store your contact details and your interview notes and recording on ORS’ secure server and will delete them three months after the end of the project. We will process your data in line with the Data Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulations 2016 (GDPR). Only named ORS project team members will be able to see your contact details, read your interview notes, and hear your interview recording. We will not store any information that identifies you with your interview feedback. Please see the Privacy Policy (which can be accessed via the main homepage) for more information.
When we have finished the research, we will write a report for HMICFRS based on the findings, which will be published on the HMICFRS website. The report will be completely anonymised; we will not name you, the support service(s) you have been working with or say where you are from in the report. The report will contribute to the planned inspection on the police and other criminal justice agencies’ response to rape in 2020 by HMICFRS, the findings of which will also be publicly available on the website in 2021.
You may find participating in this research to be a triggering experience. Please feel free to speak with the ORS research team about any questions or concerns you have at any point before, during or after the research (contact details are below). You may also wish to discuss any concerns with someone close to you and/or a support service. Also, please remember that you are free to change your mind about taking part in the research at any time before or during the interview. Your health and wellbeing is our the top priority.
If you have any concerns about the study, please one of the ORS research team (contact information below) who will do their best to answer your questions. If you remain unhappy and wish to complain formally about the study, you can contact Ruth Boyle, at HMICFRS (contact information below). You can also complain to the Market Research Society and the Information Commissioner’s Office.
If you have any questions please contact one of the ORS project team members:
Hannah Champion
hannah.champion@ors.org.uk
01792 535324
Harriet Hendra
harriet.hendra@ors.org.uk
01792 535315
If you would like to speak with someone from HMICFRS please contact:
Ruth Boyle
ruth.boyle@hmicfrs.gov.uk
If you are still interested in taking part in an interview, please get in touch. You will be asked to fill in a consent form and we will then liaise with you about arranging a time and place for the interview.