At LimeCulture, we believe creating and embedding safer cultures allows organisations and the individuals within them to thrive. Prioritising safer cultures – where expectations of behaviour are clear; inappropriate behaviours, misogynistic attitudes, harassment and abuse are not tolerated; and responses are swift, fair and embedded in an understanding of trauma, is increasingly an inherent expectation of any effective organisation.
For public bodies, developing and embedding that safer culture, ensuring it drives every action and interaction, is also critical to building and maintaining trust and confidence in the institution, not only of the workforce but of the wider public. We know that trust in organisational culture and, in turn, trust in the organisation’s response when something happens, gives people the confidence to challenge and report inappropriate behaviours, and victims/survivors of sexual violence, harassment and abuse the confidence to seek support.
Against a background of widespread concern about the prevalence of sexual violence, harassment and abuse, high-profile cases involving police officers, and mishandled responses across sectors resulting in catastrophic outcomes for victims/survivors, LimeCulture has worked extensively within Higher Education, Sport and Policing to advocate whole-organisation approaches to sexual violence, harassment and abuse. We have designed proactive prevention initiatives and clear and effective response mechanisms in support of victims/survivors of sexual violence, harassment and abuse of all ages.
LimeCulture is confident that our Safer Cultures review framework can be applied across a wide range of sectors to transform organisational culture and embed an effective response to sexual violence, harassment and abuse. We are now keen to test our Safer Culture review framework specifically within public sector organisations (such as Fire and Rescue Services, NHS Trusts).
We have identified funding that will allow us to work with two employing organisations through a pilot to test and refine our review framework. For each pilot organisation, LimeCulture’s experienced team will carry out a comprehensive, independent review of the organisation against each of our Safer Cultures pillars. We will undertake a thorough desk review to explore your organisation’s approach and effectiveness through undertaking a thorough desk review of your organisation, and delivering focus groups/interviews with leaders, staff and other key stakeholders to elicit qualitative responses to identify areas of good practice, gaps and challenges. We will make key recommendations to improve your organisation’s prevention and response initiatives. We expect the duration of the initial pilot to be approximately 2 months.
As a Safer Cultures pilot organisation, you/senior leaders will commit to:
- engaging in the review constructively, including engaging with LimeCulture to tailor our approaches to your sector context;
- allowing LimeCulture access to relevant internal documentation, including policies, procedures, and existing employee surveys; What does being a Safer Cultures pilot involve?
- releasing staff to engage in confidential interviews and focus groups; and
- participating in a case study, and sharing practice through an online seminar, following the conclusion of the pilot.
LimeCulture will commit to:
- using our experienced team to undertake the review within the agreed timeframes;
- taking a trauma-informed approach, and ensuring safety and support measures are in place when undertaking interviews and focus groups;
- ensuring the detail of the review findings and specific recommendations, including any information relating to individual cases, remain confidential; and
- working with you to prepare the information about the pilot that will be available in the public domain (case study).
To find out more or to apply to become a Safer Cultures pilot organisation, contact Sam Whyte, LimeCulture’s Director of Sexual Violence Services, at sam.whyte@limeculture.co.uk
To apply to be a pilot, your organisation will need to provide by Monday 9 September 2024:
- A brief statement outlining why you want to become a Safer Cultures pilot organisation and what you hope to achieve
- Information about your organisation – name, location, size of workforce, services
- Confirmation that you will be able to work with LimeCulture between Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025.
Please note, LimeCulture has very limited places on this pilot so please register interest early. For those organisations that are unsuccessful, we will be happy to talk with you further about how we may be able to support you.
