Early Identification and Coordinated Approaches to Violence Against People, Perpetration of Violence and Sexual Exploitation – Collaborative Working in Social Services

The project aims to strengthen the social services’ capacity to identify violence victimisation, perpetration of violence and sexual exploitation at an early stage through more systematic, evidence-based and consistent approaches across Jämtland County.

There are currently significant differences between municipalities and service areas in how violence-related issues are identified and addressed. Procedures, working practices and levels of knowledge vary across services for children and young people, adults, employment and income support, substance misuse and addiction services, elderly care, and services for people with disabilities under the Swedish Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments (LSS).

As a result, residents’ opportunities to access early support vary depending on where they live and which services they come into contact with. This presents particular challenges in a sparsely populated county, where some support services are centralised.

At the same time, effective working practices already exist in certain services and can be shared and used as a basis for joint development.

The project will map existing working practices, identify barriers and enabling factors, and further develop evidence-based and coordinated screening questionnaires, procedures and support materials for early identification. Through collaboration between researchers, practitioners, managers and regional stakeholders, the project will establish a foundation for more coordinated and consistent approaches.