One of the main reasons I created The Full Impact was because of my own experience of approaching the police.
Initially, I was not looking to make a formal report. I wanted somebody to explain the process to me. I wanted to understand what would happen, what my options were, what my rights were and what support would be available so that I could take everything in and make an informed decision.
Once I began explaining what had happened, however, the situation moved very quickly and much of it felt as though it had been taken out of my hands.
I was not given one clear written source of information that I could take away and read in my own time. There was no simple leaflet or email bringing together the process, my rights, support, trauma responses and what might happen next.
For somebody dealing with trauma, that matters.
A disclosure or report can be an extremely stressful experience. People may be frightened, overwhelmed, dissociating or struggling to remember what they have been told. Information given verbally during one conversation may simply be too much to absorb.
That is why I believe survivors should routinely be given clear written information after a disclosure or first contact — whether through a leaflet, email, QR code or link to a trusted resource such as The Full Impact website.
The survivor could then return to that information privately, at their own pace and as many times as they need.
It could explain:
- what may happen next;
- what choices and rights the survivor has;
- what the police and other organisations may need to do and why;
- what an ISVA or IDVA is and how independent advocacy can help;
- where specialist support is available;
- common trauma responses and how trauma can affect memory, communication and decision-making;
- what happens if somebody is not ready to report;
- what to expect during an investigation or justice process;
- and where to go if they have further questions.
Providing information does not mean replacing professional advice or preventing organisations from carrying out safeguarding or legal responsibilities.
It means making sure that, as far as possible, the survivor understands what is happening around them.
For me, trauma-informed practice should include giving people information in a form they can take away, process and return to when they are ready.
A survivor should not have to remember everything they were told during one of the most stressful conversations of their life.
That is why I created The Full Impact.
Angela MoretonTHE FULL IMPACT CAMPAIGN