Time Will Tell: A Temporal Analysis of Victim-Survivor’s Formal Support-Seeking for Co-occurring Family Violence and Sexual Harm

Abstract

Drawing on qualitative interviews with both victim-survivors (n = 11) and specialist service providers (n = 11) in Victoria (Australia), this article analyses formal support-seeking for co-occurring family violence and sexual harm through a temporal lens. Our findings focus on two main themes: (i) victim-survivor readiness and trauma-informed support; and (ii) service readiness, time constraints and delays in providing support. The analysis sheds light on the disconnection between crisis intervention for family violence and long-term therapeutic support for sexual harm. In response, we emphasize the unique contribution of a trauma-informed temporal lens to criminological knowledge and discuss implications for policy and practice.