You know when you receive an email from Charlotte with an apology in the title, that something’s afoot.  The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) were putting together the first national joint CPS/CPS/ISVA RASSO (rape and serious sexual offences) conference, and we were asked to be part of this by delivering a presentation.  As ISVA and CHISVA managers we put our heads together, and focused on the impact the criminal justice process has on survivors.

We were fortunate enough to be co-delivering with Charlotte Caulton-Scott from CPS and Craig Hall from Nottinghamshire Police.  This meant between us we were able to give a multi-disciplinary view, and showcase some of the innovative ways we work together.  Charlotte opened the presentation, providing an overview of the collaboration between the CPS, Police and ISVA and CHISVA services in Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands.  This focused on the value of a joint approach, with an acknowledgement that things haven’t always worked well, how and where improvements have been and still need to be made, and a focus on next steps.

Gemma then spoke, providing an ISVA’s perspective of the survivor’s experiences in court, and how this process can be improved.  When then heard from Steph about the CHISVA’s perspective on the value of collaborative working with CPS and Police and how this impacts children, young people and families.  Craig and Charlotte then spoke about the power, value and impact of the Consent Coalition.

Insight from a Survivor

We were fortunate that a young person with lived experience agreed to join us and speak to the conference.  She gave an incredibly powerful, honest, informative, at times uncomfortable to hear but overall inspiring account of her story, and the impact the journey through the system had on her.

The young person had thoughtfully prepared guidance around ways in which the criminal justice system could have worked better for her, and suggestions of changes that may benefit future survivors.  She was captivating, the audience of over two hundred people were enthralled, and she brought to life the survivors experience in a way we would have never been able to.

Future plans…

The feedback we received at the conference and since has been outstanding, and it feels like there’s been a real commitment to change by all the agencies involved.

As ISVA and CHISVA managers from Notts SVSS and Imara we feel incredibly privileged and proud to have been part of this, and feel excited about multi agency and collaborative working in the future to improve the survivor experience and support.  We’re looking forward to creating more links between the ISVAs and CHISVAs and continuing to work together.

Gemma Malfesi and Stephanie Atkinson.