Arch: an evaluation of a multi-disciplinary response 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, Professor Daryl Higgins, Douglas Russell and Dr Sebastian Trew, 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.

Background

Sexual violence is a serious and persistent issue in Australia, with devastating impacts on individuals, families and communities. People affected by sexual violence have diverse and complex needs, frequently requiring multiple interventions provided by a range of community-based services.

Multi-disciplinary, cross-agency responses are emerging to help address victim-survivors' needs. Evaluations reveal the extent to which initiatives are implemented as intended and achieve desired results. They also grow the evidence base about effective multi-disciplinary, cross-agency responses. 

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.

The purpose of the evaluation is to establish the extent to which Arch is being implemented as intended and achieving desired outcomes. The key data sources are interviews with professionals who have worked or are working within or overseeing Arch, administrative data (i.e., data that services collect about their operations), documentation about the design and delivery of Arch and online surveys of Arch clients.

Data collection, analysis and write up will proceed in three stages, with the learnings of each stage informing the next:

• Stage 1 focused on what progress has been made in establishing Arch. Data sources were administrative data, interviews with professionals and document analysis.
• Stage 2 represents an opportunity for a deeper dive into issues or opportunities identified in stage one.
• Stage 3 comes at the end of the two-year pilot with a focus on service uptake, and realisation of desired service outcomes. The project will conclude with the development of a plan for ongoing monitoring and assessment of the Arch initiative.

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.

Ethics

The ACU Human Research Ethics Committee (2024-3656X) reviewed and cleared the evaluation, and the Arch Management Group is overseeing the evaluation.

Project timeline

March 2024 – June 2025

Contact

For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au