MoJ group-based victim support project - Stakeholders
This page provides information for stakeholders invited to take part in the research.
As part of this research into group-based victim support interventions, we will be conducting interviews with primary stakeholders involved in commissioning, delivering or supporting group-based victim support interventions. This page tells you more about the research, so you can decide whether you would like to be involved and share your views.
Who is carrying out this research?
NatCen is a not-for-profit organisation aiming to improve people’s lives through research. We are independent of all Government departments and agencies, including Ministry of Justice. NatCen is carrying out this evaluation in partnership with WPI Economics.
What is this research about?
The aim of this research is to develop a clearer understanding of where and what type of victim support is being commissioned and delivered, with particular focus on group-based victim support interventions.
The research will explore where there is strong evidence regarding group-based victim support interventions, where evidence is missing or weak, and to suggest practical ways to improve future research based on the specific context.
Why have we contacted you?
As a stakeholder who may be involved in commissioning, delivering or supporting group-based victim support interventions, we would like to invite you to participate in a one-to-one or paired research interview. Stakeholders have been identified by NatCen, with support from the MoJ.
Unfortunately, it may not be possible to include everybody who expresses interest in taking part in the research.
What will taking part involve?
If you choose to participate, we will arrange the interview at a time that is convenient for you Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm. Interviews will take place until mid-November 2025.
The interview will be conducted remotely using Microsoft Teams (or telephone if you prefer). It will last up to 60 minutes.
In the interview, we might ask you about:
- Stakeholders' roles in commissioning, delivering, or supporting victim services
- Experiences, facilitators and challenges related to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of victim service interventions
- Partnership working and preferred engagement methods
- Approaches to build trust, ensure inclusiveness, and tailor future engagement strategies that reflect the needs of diverse groups across the M&E landscape.
There are no right or wrong answers; we’re just interested in hearing your views.
With your permission, discussions will be audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The audio and transcribed version of the interview will be stored securely and only the research team at NatCen will have access. If you prefer not to be recorded, NatCen can take written notes of the interview instead.
Do I have to take part?
Participation in an interview is completely voluntary.
If you decide to take part, you don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to.
If you change your mind about being involved, you can let the research team know either on the day of the interview or by using the contact details provided below. You can withdraw from the research at any time, without giving a reason. Taking part in this study and the wider research is unrelated to and will not impact, any current or future funding.
You can withdraw your consent to participate in the research after the interview, and request that your contribution and any data collected be deleted up to 30 days after your interview.
Will anyone else find out what I tell you?
NatCen will treat everything you say as confidential and anonymous. You will not be identified to anyone outside the NatCen research team, and we will not tell anyone details of what you say, except in exceptional circumstances (such as imminent threat to life or serious harm).
No information that could identify participants will be included in our research findings.
If you would like to know more about how the information you provide will be processed, please see the privacy notice at natcen.ac.uk/groupvictimsupport/privacy.
How will the information I provide be used?
Information obtained from the research will be analysed into themes and summarised by NatCen into a report shared with the Ministry of Justice. The report may be published and may include some quotes from participants, but will not include any identifying information (including, for example, names of individuals or places).
However, it may be possible that individual views could be identified by those who are directly involved in this evaluation. This includes the Ministry of Justice, who were involved in selecting police forces to take part in the research, and police force colleagues who have been involved in setting up the interviews.
What will happen next
If you have any further questions or would like to discuss the research, please contact us using the details below:
Email: GroupInterventionsResearch@natcen.ac.uk
Freephone: 0808 168 1503