Operation Soteria – Transforming the Investigation of Rape
Operation Soteria was developed in response to national concern around the investigation of rape and serious sexual assault offences (RASSO) and the increasing epidemic that is violence against women and girls.
Launched in June 2021, as Operation Soteria Bluestone within Avon and Somerset Police, it’s aim was to increase the number of adult rape and serious sexual assault cases reaching charge, and, in addition, deliver sustained improvement in the criminal justice whole system response.
The programme combines practitioner knowledge with that of academic experts, along with research insight and transformational change support to forces. This has led to the development of the first National Operating Model (NOM) for the investigation of rape and serious sexual offences.
Operation Soteria Bluestone began as a national Home Office funded research and change programme, hosted by the Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC). It has now moved to a Joint Unit, containing the NPCC, Home Office and College of Policing support.
Core to the delivery of transformation change is the dissemination of and engagement in learning by police forces and key stakeholders.
The ultimate product from the programme is the development of the NOM for RASSO to be used by all 43 Home Office police forces. In July 2023, Operation Soteria was rolled out across all 43 police forces in England and Wales and the model will be implemented in all forces.
The evolution of this model requires detailed engagement with key stakeholders, for example Independent Sexual Violence Advocates, the third sector, police and crime commissioners, as well as the wider policing organisations including the NPCC and College of Policing.
