A Day in Bristol: Supporting Victims and Survivors in Avon and Somerset
Last week, I spent a day in Bristol visiting organisations dedicated to supporting victims and survivors of crime across the whole of Avon and Somerset. My day began at The Bridge, our local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). From there, I visited Next Link and Safe Link, finishing the day at SWAN Advocacy.
While none of us want to imagine anyone we care about experiencing any crime, I left each visit knowing that if I signposted someone to these organisations, they would be met with care, respect, and a genuine commitment to their needs.
The Bridge
The Bridge is a vital service for those affected by sexual assault, whether they get in touch themselves or the police signpost them after they have reported. The centre offers free and independent healthcare, forensic evidence collection (within 7–8 days of an assault), injury documentation, and help with deciding next steps. This might involve reporting to the police (if this hasn’t happened already), exploring therapeutic options, or simply receiving support without taking further action.
Manager Nikki Shannon explained the meticulous efforts to maintain an environment that meets the strict standards of a forensic laboratory while also prioritising trauma-informed care. For example, children’s rooms feature colourful ceiling lights and wall stickers, while corridor walls are decorated with plants to create a welcoming atmosphere. Most importantly, those who come to The Bridge are in control of their care, which helps ensure they feel empowered at what can be a lifechanging time.
Next Link and Safe Link
Next Link and Safe Link provide critical support through their Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs). These dedicated professionals help victims-survivors, whether or not they choose to report to the police, understand their rights, access available support, and navigate the criminal justice system.
During my visit, I met with CEO Sarah O’Leary and a group of ISVAs and IDVAs. They shared their frustrations with court backlogs and the impact this has on those they support, but they responded to these frustrations with their own initiatives to help people cope with long waits for their case to be heard in court. I was also pleased to see the strong relationships the teams have built with the courts and with Avon and Somerset Police, which strengthens their voice when they are advocating for their clients.
The team expressed optimism about Operation Brightlight, a new initiative building on the successes of Operation Bluestone, to improve police responses and outcomes for victims-survivors of domestic abuse. However, they also highlighted ongoing challenges, including the urgent need for shorter investigations.
SWAN Advocacy
My final visit was to SWAN Advocacy’s Victims of Crime Advocacy Service. This was an opportunity to thank the team for their work supporting victims across Avon and Somerset.
With my own background in advocacy through many years in trade unions, I appreciate and admire SWAN’s person-centred approach. Their work focuses on what each individual wants and needs, ensuring that their voices are heard and respected throughout the process.
Supporting Victims: A Priority
Supporting victims is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan and to meet that priority it is vital to support specialist organisations. The organisations I visited deliver services that give victims of crime timely, trauma-informed support that helps them to rebuild their lives. That is why the ‘Commissioner’ part of the title of Police and Crime Commissioner is so important, it is my job to commission these services and make sure they are giving victims that support and voice.