Operation Soteria Bluestone: theoretical framework and approach to police-academic collaboration

• In Event: Transforming police responses to rape and sexual assault: Operation Soteria Panel 1

Abstract

Operation Soteria Bluestone is a ground-breaking academic-police collaborative programme that aims to transform how police forces in England and Wales respond to rape and other sexual offences. The programme has attracted extensive media coverage and is credited with resulting in significant improvements in rape charge rates and victim experience of the process in pilot police forces areas. This presentation outlines the theoretical framework underlying Operation Soteria Bluestone. It comprises six pillars: (1) suspect-focused investigations; (2) disrupting repeat offenders; (3) a procedural justice approach to victim-survivor engagement; (4) officer learning, wellbeing, and organisational change; and (5) the use of data and (6) digital forensics. We conclude with a discussion of its practical implementation and empirical within Soteria Bluestone.

Authors

• Elizabeth A Stanko, City, Univeristy of London

• Katrin Hohl, City, University of London