We Are Victims Too
This peer study seeks to understand the extent of repeat victimisation among people who have moved from the streets into supported accommodation in London. It also explores the barriers these people face when reporting crime, progressing through the criminal justice process and accessing support.
Previous research has shown that people sleeping rough are vulnerable to repeat and severe victimisation. However, there is a critical gap in understanding experiences of crime after people move on to supported accommodation and how to reduce this continued victimisation.
This research was co-delivered with peer researchers – people with lived experience of sleeping rough. It shows how the expertise of people with experience can offer a unique insight and essential evidence that can help transform services.
The report brings together the experiences of people who moved from streets into supported accommodation in London. The majority of them have faced multiple issues, including mental ill-health, learning difficulties, and drug addiction. From just 20 of them, we heard detailed accounts of 46 incidents of violent crime – including robbery, physical threats and assault, and sexual harassment and abuse.
Our key findings show:
• A high prevalence of severe and repeated victimisation
• An overlap between victims and offenders
• The stigma attached to repeat victimisation
• The significant barriers to reporting crime
• The need for a voice for people with lived experience.
Our research leads us to propose five principles to ensure all victims have access to fair justice. These include trauma-informed systems, peer-support models in housing and criminal justice and the sharing of good practice.
It is also clear that operational and strategic changes need to take place and the report ends with recommendations for various services and individuals. These include local authorities, homelessness, police and victim support services, the Victims’, Police and Crime and Public Health Commissioners, and the College of Policing.
