Devon & Cornwall Police Launch Survey for Survivors of Sexual Offences

Devon & Cornwall Police has launched a new survey to better understand the experiences of victims who report rape and serious sexual offences. The Force hopes the responses will help shape a stronger and more supportive service for survivors.

The Victim Experience Survey is anonymous and takes around 15 minutes to complete. Victims are being asked to share their experiences of dealing with police during investigations, whether their cases were recent or took place years ago.

Aiming to Improve Support

Detective Superintendent Nicky Seager, from the Protecting Vulnerable People Team, said:

“We are constantly trying to improve our service to victims of rape and sexual offences as part of our remit to reduce and prevent violence against all victims, including women and girls.

“We recognise that victims of rape and sexual offences have been through a very traumatic time and we hope that by sharing their experiences with us we can use that information to improve and build on our existing investigations and support for victims. The information provided will allow us to identify areas for improvement as well as best practice.”

Survivors’ Voices

Rachel (not her real name), a survivor of rape and advocate for victims, welcomed the survey. She said:

“Having been through the system with Devon & Cornwall Police following a rape, it’s really good to see that they are reaching out to victims and listening to what they have to say in relation to the service given. I would encourage any survivor to complete the survey and share information about their experiences with the Force, so we can help protect other women and girls.

“Sharing information may also help police to bring offenders to justice and prevent them from committing further offences against other women.”

Providing the Right Care

Sarah West, lead for the Victim Care Unit, added:

“It takes a lot for a victim of rape or serious sexual assault to report to police. The Victim Care Unit speaks to these victims every day and strives to match them to the support that will best fulfil their personal needs and manage the impact that the experience has had on them.

“This survey will be essential in gathering important data for the Force and will enable it to identify ways to better support victims during investigations.“

How to Take Part

Any survivor of rape or serious sexual offences, whose case has been subject to an investigation by Devon & Cornwall Police, is invited to complete the anonymous Victim Experience Survey.

The survey is open to those whose experiences occurred recently or in the past. It is designed to help police understand the challenges victims face and to identify how support and investigations can be strengthened.