Dorset Police join Operation Soteria Bluestone
Last year Dorset Police became one of 14 expansion forces that joined Op Soteria Bluestone, a national collaboration between criminal justice practitioners and a coalition of the most qualified and talented academics in their fields. The overarching aim is to develop a new operating model for the investigation and prosecution of rape and serious sexual assault cases.
I am committed to creating an environment in which all residents and visitors to Dorset feel safe from violence, intimidation and harassment. This can only be done by influencing and supporting change within communities, partners, and policing. Dorset Police being a part of Op Soteria is a vital part of this work, ensuring that Dorset is at the forefront of change.
Many women do not feel safe in public spaces and online. This is unacceptable. The lived experience of individuals is key to understanding what needs to change. Change at both a national and local level is needed, working with partners to inform long-term solutions. We must ensure that victims of rape and serious sexual assaults are provided with care and support and have the confidence to report these crimes to the police.
That’s why, as part of the work going on to support Op Soteria Bluestone, I would like to invite you to take part in and share an online survey. The survey is being conducted by academic partners in the Op Soteria Bluestone initiative and aims to gauge the current experience of victim-survivors through the police process.
All victims of rape and other sexual offences aged 18 and over whose case the police know about are invited to complete the survey. Your case may have just started, been ongoing for some time, or be closed - but no matter what your situation may be - we want to listen to all victim-survivors. Your responses will help us understand how the police process feels to victims of rape and other sexual offences and the findings will be used to make improvements.
Make no mistake, tackling sexual offences, rape, domestic abuse, stalking and VAWG are all priority areas, and I will work tirelessly alongside Dorset Police to drive down sexual crime and make Dorset the safest county.
You can complete this survey online in your own time, at your own pace, and in a place that feels safe and comfortable to you. It should take no more than 15 minutes to complete.
Click here to take the survey or copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://cityunilondon.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4GikU2bi38jO0MS?jfefe=new
Thank you for taking the time to complete and share the survey – your help is very much appreciated.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Please note: The survey is completely anonymous, so please do not use it to report incidents of which the police are not aware because they will not be able to contact you. If you, or anyone you know, is in danger call 999. Otherwise seek non-emergency police support at www.dorset.police.uk/contact