SONAR CMS Sponsors Thriving Survivors' 2nd Annual Conference on Sibling Sexual Abuse

On the 10th of October 2024, the Thriving Survivors' 2nd Annual Conference on Sibling Sexual Abuse (SSA) took place in the historic Trades Hall of Glasgow. It was a ground-breaking event sponsored by SONAR CMS. This landmark conference brought together experts, survivors, and professionals to address the critical and often overlooked issue of SSA.

Stuart Allardyce, Director at The Lucy Faithful Foundation and conference chair, welcomed attendees to a day of insightful discussions and expert contributions. The objective of the conference was to shed light on the prevalence, challenges, and long-term impacts of SSA while providing practical strategies for prevention, intervention, and recovery.

Keynote speakers delivered powerful and emotive presentations that set the tone for the conference. Ashley Scotland, the founder of Thriving Survivors, discussed her own experiences along with the organisation's mission for making a difference. Professor Kieran McCarten, Professor of Criminology at University of the West of England, explored quantifying Key Performance Indicators and the societal impacts of SSA. Amy Adams, doctoral researcher at the University of Birmingham, added to this by providing valuable legal perspectives on safeguarding and justice. David Russell, Development Lead and Service Manager at Thriving Survivors, delivered a compelling keynote speech, “Putting it all into practice”, on embedding research within practice to enhance understanding of SSA. David emphasised the importance of integrating research findings into practical applications to improve interventions for survivors and families. Additionally, Jane Epstein, Co-founding member of 5WAVES, captivated the audience with her recount of how she began spreading awareness on SSA, inspiring many with her dedication and tireless efforts to bring this critical issue to the forefront of public consciousness. Her Ted Talk is linked here.

The conference included a series of hands-on workshops that tackled essential topics related to SSA. For more information and a breakdown of what was discussed please see the link to the Thriving Survivors 2024 itinerary here.

These workshops equipped the attendees with practical frameworks and strategies to better support SSA survivors, those responsible for the harm, and affected families.

How SONAR can help the current support system

As the main sponsor, SONAR CMS demonstrated its commitment to trauma-informed care and justice for vulnerable groups. Our support highlighted a strong alignment with Thriving Survivors' mission to elevate the voices of SSA survivors and the professionals dedicated to supporting them.

Our involvement went beyond financial sponsorship. Throughout the conference, we displayed how our data management systems support healthcare professionals and agencies in achieving better outcomes for survivors. By providing timely and accurate information, SONAR CMS facilitates informed decision-making crucial for sensitive cases like SSA. Our technology promotes effective communication between agencies, fostering a coordinated approach to supporting survivors.

The conference attracted a diverse audience of professionals, including social workers, counsellors, psychologists, educators, and healthcare providers. Attendees had ample opportunities to engage with experts, ask questions, and gain insights into best practices for prevention, intervention, and recovery.

One of the key benefits of this conference was the emphasis on lived experiences. Survivors and professionals with extensive experience shared their perspectives, enriching the discussions and providing invaluable insights.

Looking ahead, both Thriving Survivors and SONAR CMS remain committed to driving meaningful change in addressing SSA and broader trauma-related challenges and other sectors. The conference highlighted the ongoing need for dedicated efforts in this field, and SONAR CMS pledged to continue providing tools that empower professionals and enhance outcomes for survivors.

The Thriving Survivors' 2nd Annual Conference on SSA marks a significant step forward in addressing this critical issue. By bringing together experts, survivors, and professionals, the conference has laid the groundwork for improved understanding, support, and intervention strategies in cases of sibling sexual abuse. The success of this conference underscores the importance of continued collaboration between organisations like Thriving Survivors and technology providers like SONAR CMS.

References:

Jane Epstein - “Giving Voice to Sibling Sexual Abuse” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X5TvYrHxTA 

Thriving Survivors Itinerary - https://www.thrivingsurvivors.co.uk/event-details/ts-annual-conference-2024

John White

Founder and CEO

Early Release Scheme

Speaking on 21 August, the chief inspector of probation, Martin Jones, explained how important it is to have accurate information on offenders before their release:

“If you are looking to release somebody from prison, a most important thing is to understand the risk that person represents. Are they a high-risk offender or are they a low-risk offender? What are their needs? Do they have mental health difficulty? Do they have drug addiction problems? If you do not understand that at the point that person is released, it is a recipe for failure and quite often will result in recall to prison or increased reoffending.”

That is a brilliant summary of our reasons for creating SONAR – and the role it will play in achieving the Government’s aims on prison capacity and rehabilitation.

Early release

The new Government’s first two months have been dominated by the need to free up prison places. An updated early release programme – by which prisoners are freed 40 per cent of the way through their sentences instead of 50 per cent – will begin next month. It is expected that 2,000 prisoners will be released early on 10 September, followed by up to 1,700 more offenders on 22 October.

The overall programme is expected to create 5,500 extra spaces. (On 23 August, there were 89,383 prison places against a total prisoner population of 88,234.)

Reductions in reoffending

While the early release programme is the first step, Ministers have said that their most important goal is to reduce reoffending – which is at the heart of SONAR.

On 5 July, Keir Starmer warned that, “For so many people who come out of prison, they’re back in prison relatively quickly afterwards.” He concluded: “That is a massive problem that we have in this country, that we do need to break.”

On 12 July, in the same speech that she announced the early release programme, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “We will also reform the system and drive down reoffending. Our prisons today create better criminals, not better citizens. Eighty per cent of offending is reoffending – at immense cost to communities and the taxpayer. A goal of my time as Lord Chancellor will be to drive that number down.” She set out plans to recruit over 1,000 additional trainee probation officers by March 2025, aiming to provide greater oversight and management of offenders once they leave prison.

The Government also appointed James Timpson as his prisons minister. James Timpson had been CEO of Timpson Group which has an outstanding record in employing ex-offenders. In his maiden speech in the House of Lords, the new Minister said: “We have to make prisons rehabilitative and make sure that, when offenders are given a second chance, they can seize it. That is good for society because it reduces crime.”

The Role of SONAR

As Martin Jones said, successful rehabilitation depends on accurate knowledge of the needs of the offender. This is at the heart of the SONAR offer.

SONAR is designed to allow the best possible entry of healthcare information, so that records are accurate. It is also the first criminal justice health information system to allow health information to be shared across settings, including post-release. Our aim is that, for the first time, prison custody staff can easily access and update a record that is up to date with NHS information. Prison staff can access the same record, up to date with any changes in police custody. Post-release healthcare staff can do the same. It aims to solve exactly the challenge that Martin Jones set.

SONAR aims to go further by providing additional support post-release. It will help offenders find jobs by providing an appointment diary. It will inform all relevant agencies, and key family members, if appointments are missed – which can also be an important risk factor.

We look forward to engaging with the Government and with the wider Health and Justice community as we all contribute to ensuring better outcomes for those in a system under pressure.

John White

Founder and CEO

New Beginnings for Health and Justice

The new Westminster Government has been elected and announced its new programme of legislation. With a large majority, it has a real chance to change public services for the better, and I wish it well. 

I strongly support the new Government’s initial drive to raise outcomes in healthcare and to reduce reoffending in criminal justice. SONAR can do much to help. 

On the NHS, the new Secretary of State Wes Streeting’s first statement was that outcomes had to improve, and he wanted to be honest about that: 

“When we said during the election campaign that the NHS was going through the biggest crisis in its history, we meant it.  When we said that patients are being failed on a daily basis, it wasn’t political rhetoric, but the daily reality faced by millions. Previous governments have not been willing to admit these simple facts. But in order to cure an illness, you must first diagnose it. This government will be honest about the challenges facing our country, and serious about tackling them.” 

The Labour Party manifesto explained that the Party would push hard for positive change. It wants to use all of the tools at its disposal, including greater partnership with the private sector and better use of technology. 

On criminal justice, at his first press conference as Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer was unequivocal around the need to reduce reoffending: 

"We do need to be clear about the way in which we use prisons. For so many people [who] come out of prison, they’re back in prison relatively quickly afterwards. That is a massive problem that we have in this country, that we do need to break." 

In her first speech, Shabana Mahmood, the new Justice Secretary, gave the same message: 

“Nearly eighty per cent of offending is reoffending – at immense cost to communities and the taxpayer. A goal of my time as Lord Chancellor will be to drive that number down.” 

The choice of Prisons Minister speaks volumes. James Timpson has been chief executive of Timpson Group which has done so much to show the benefits of employing ex-offenders. 

SONAR will help because it is specifically designed to improve health outcomes by enhancing the collection, analysis and sharing of health and social care information in criminal justice settings. It will contribute towards a reduction in recidivism by improving access to healthcare and – through the SONAR ReSet (our release support app) – helping ex-offenders to keep to a stable routine including interaction with rehabilitation services.  

To give the last word to Keir Starmer: 

“Politics can be a force for good - we will show that.” 

John White

Founder and CEO