Laura Patterson

Background: This article is by lived experience co-researchers and an academic research team. Co-research involves those with lived experience of a topic under investigation. It is an increasingly popular participatory, beneficial form of co-production that improves the integrity and quality of research, and bridges gaps between academics and participants. Co-researchers can conduct interviews, analyse data and disseminate findings which contributes to meaningful, rich data. However, co-research can engender risk. Co-researchers may lack full integration, leading to isolation and exacerbation of power differentials. Risks are heightened when researching sensitive topics, due to exposure to the narratives of participants and potential re-traumatisation. Our approach: The aim of this article is to share our experiences of co-produced research on a multi-method study of specialist sexual violence services in England. Five co-researchers with lived experience of sexual violence (SV) interviewed victim-survivor participants, conducted data analysis, and were pivotal in dissemination. As part of a novel design, we employed a specialist, lived experience facilitator to support the co-researchers, which complemented that offered by the academic team. Our learning: By evaluating our experience, we highlight the benefits and challenges of co-research. The discussion considers four areas of learning: safety and self-care; empowerment and amplification of voice; accountability and transparency; creativity and joyfulness. Future co-research studies can utilise learning to avoid potential pitfalls and create success. Conclusions: By sharing unique evaluation experiences, this article might benefit academic research teams and lived experience co-researchers considering co-research, particularly on sensitive topics. Key to achieving improvements is the linchpin of a facilitator role.

Background: There is increasing recognition in England that voluntary sector specialist sexual violence services are essential in providing crisis and longer-term support to victim-survivors. However, there is limited empirical evidence about the scope, range and effectiveness of voluntary sector specialist provision and commissioning, or what victim-survivors want from services. Objectives: Explore victim-survivors’ experiences of accessing and using voluntary sector specialist services. Analyse the range, scope and funding of voluntary sector specialist services and how demand is managed. Explore the usefulness of different approaches to service delivery and different therapy models. Explore how different principles underlying service provision influence service delivery. Investigate referral patterns and pathways, and how voluntary sector specialist services fit with each other and link to the wider network of services for victim-survivors. Explore how arrangements for commissioning and funding services for victim-survivors across health, local authorities and criminal justice have evolved. Develop a taxonomy of the voluntary sector specialist services/service models being commissioned and provided. Make recommendations for the commissioning and provision of voluntary sector specialist services at practice and policy levels. Data sources: Interviews with key stakeholders, focus groups with victim-survivors; a national survey of key stakeholders. Methods: This multimethod study comprised five sequential work packages: work package 1: exploratory interviews with commissioners and providers and focus groups with victim-survivors; work package 2: national survey of service providers and commissioners; work package 3: in-depth case studies in four areas of England; work package 4: co-research with victim-survivors; work package 5: data integration. Co-production was built into the study from its inception through robust patient and public involvement and engagement activities. These included a co-applicant who is a survivor of sexual violence, plus the appointment of five expert-by-experience co-researchers. Results: We captured the combined findings conceptually and diagrammatically into a new model comprising six themes: the complex and precarious funding landscape; the challenge of competition for funding and contracts; the importance and success of partnership working with organisations; the pressured environments within which voluntary sector specialist services work; different roles, scope and eligibility of voluntary and statutory services within an area; and the ways services are organised and delivered, underpinned by services’ values and philosophies. Limitations: The COVID-19 pandemic meant that we were unable to use the proposed methods of data collection for the qualitative components. Mitigation was through developing online modes of data collection. Recruitment to the case study phase did not reach intended thresholds, but rich insights were drawn from earlier phases of the study. Conclusions: The PROSPER study has provided hitherto missing evidence regarding the funding and commissioning of sexual violence services in England. The findings are likely to be useful in informing future commissioning of such services. The PROSPER study has also presented some unexpected opportunities for learning, particularly regarding co-research in the field of sexual violence. We also claim a contribution to theory development through the expansion of a current theoretical framework that may be of use to others working in the specialist voluntary sector. Future work: The model will require development and testing to assess its usefulness as a resource for training and education or as an aid to communications in any interactions that are concerned with the delivery, funding and commissioning of voluntary sector specialist services. Study registration: This study is registered as Research Registry researchregistry5144. Funding: This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (NIHR award ref: 18/02/27) and is published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 13, No. 10. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Sexual violence is a global problem with significant individual and societal health and social costs. Services that support victim‐survivors of sexual violence across a range of sectors are crucial. This study investigated the scope, range, funding and commissioning of voluntary sector specialist (VSS) sexual violence services in England and victim‐survivors’ experiences of using such services. The specialist voluntary sector plays a pivotal role in providing crisis and longer‐term support to victim‐survivors. However, there is limited empirical evidence about the scope, range and use of VSS provision, or what victim‐survivors value and want from services. The aim of the study was to address this gap and provide much‐needed evidence to inform the VSS sector nationally. This co‐produced study included five co‐researchers and one co‐applicant with lived experience of sexual violence. There were three empirical phases: (1) exploratory interviews with commissioners and service providers and focus groups with victim‐survivors; (2) national survey of service providers and commissioners; (3) in‐depth case study analysis in four areas of England. The purpose of this paper is to synthesise the findings from each of these phases and map them onto a conceptual model, encompassing six themes: the complex and precarious funding landscape; the challenge of competition for funding and contracts; the role of partnership working; the pressured environments within which VSS services work; the different roles, scope and eligibility of voluntary and statutory services within an area; the ways services are delivered, underpinned by services’ values and philosophies. The study provides new, empirical insights into how these arrangements affect those connected with the services—namely, staff, volunteers and victim‐survivors. The paper sets out 14 recommendations for all parties involved in the funding and commissioning of specialist services, including commissioners, grant funders and VSS organisations in England.