Arch evaluation Assessment of co-located multidisciplinary support for people affected by sexual harm

Investigators

Collaboration between the Institute of Child Protection Studies (ICPS) at Australian Catholic University and the School of Social Sciences at the University of Tasmania (UTAS)

Jacqui Stewart and Professor Daryl Higgins, ICPS; Dr Michael Guerzoni, UTAS

Funding

Tasmanian Government Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management (DPFEM)

Aims

To assess the extent to which Arch has been implemented as planned and has achieved desired outcomes.

Project details

In March 2022, the Tasmanian Government committed to a two-year pilot of multidisciplinary centres for victims and survivors of sexual harm. Known as Arch, the multidisciplinary centres began operating in July 2023.

Arch represents a co-located, coordinated and collaborative, trauma-informed and victim-centred, multidisciplinary response to sexual harm. Arch currently operates in the south (Hobart) and north (Launceston) of Tasmania. Funding for Arch North West has been announced. 

Service providers operating within Arch

• Specialist sexual assault support services by Sexual Assault Support Services in the south, and Laurel House in the north
• Specialist sex crime police
• Strong Families Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line
• Child Safety Service
• Family Violence Counselling and Support Service (FVCSS)

To ensure Arch is supporting the needs of victim-survivors and achieving its outputs and outcomes, the DPFEM contracted Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety Limited (ANROWS) to develop the first Arch Evaluation, Review and Monitoring Framework.

The DPFEM has since commissioned ICPS, in partnership with the School of Social Sciences at UTAS, to implement that Framework.

The evaluation consists of different phases of work, including:

• Framework refresh – review of the original evaluation framework and revisions to ensure relevancy and incorporate recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s responses to child sexual abuse in institutional settings.
• Baseline study – analysis and write up of data collected by DPFEM on service users and service responses prior to the opening of Arch.
• Data collection about process and outcomes – collection, analysis and write up of findings about the extent to which Arch is implemented as planned and achieving desired outcomes at three time points.
• Ongoing monitoring plan – planning for the ongoing monitoring and review of Arch.

Projected community impact

The evaluation will contribute to the evidence base on coordinated and collaborative, trauma-informed and victim-centred support. The Tasmania Government will use the findings to inform decision making about the design and delivery of Arch and other initiatives for people affected by sexual harm.

Project timeline

March 2024 – June 2025

Contact

Get in touch with Jacqui Stewart for more information.