Scottish Crime and Justice Survey: user workshops - summary

7. Workshop 3: Questionnaire Development

7.1 Introduction

This workshop centred on questionnaire development. It began with a SCJS team presentation which provided an overview of the feedback and input we have received on this topic through the formal consultation, we then outlined plans for our upcoming questionnaire development phase. Users and stakeholders were then invited to give their views and provide input on this topic. See Annex C for the workshop paper, which was circulated to attendees prior to the workshop and contains more details on the topic of SCJS questionnaire development. 25 people attended the workshop.

7.2 Discussion

Discussion at this workshop focussed around several question topics. Attendees raised new topics of interest, or suggested improvements to existing areas of the survey. Comments on each topic are presented under individual headings.

Public Transport

• It was stated that public transport is an 'area' where crime can take place. It was proposed that the SCJS should do more to record crime and victimisation on public transport.
• The SCJS team acknowledged this and stated that a period of questionnaire review is due to begin in Spring 2022. The SCJS team will re-engage with users and key stakeholders during this period.

Cyber crime

• An attendee stated they wished cyber crime to be separated into distinct areas, cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled crime.
• An attendee stated that they wished cyber crime to be included within 'All SCJS' crime. To note, 'All SCJS crime' currently relates to violent and property crime.
• The SCJS team highlighted there is intention to review the cyber crime module within the survey. Considerable work will be undertaken to consider how cyber crime is captured by the survey, and how cyber crime relates to other aspects of the survey.

Hate Crime

• An attendee mentioned the 'Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021', highlighting the need to align with current legislation and definitions in all questions.
• The SCJS team noted they were aware of the need to maintain the survey and update questions to align with contemporary legislation.

Length of Questionnaire

• The SCJS team was asked if they knew how the length of the survey may be impacted if the mode of data collection was changed.
• The SCJS team stated that they hoped to get this kind of information from the 2021/22 fieldwork, which is currently conducted by telephone or video call (but will be moving back to face-to-face, with a telephone or video call option, when rules allow). The SCJS team hopes to gather information on aspects such as the duration of the survey, non-response, and more information on potential impact on the time-series.
• The SCJS team highlighted that the 2021/22 self-completion section of the survey was shortened to enable the use of a paper version of the questionnaire in addition to a web-based option.

Communicating with Justice Services

• It was asked if the survey includes questions on the ease of communication with justice services.
• The SCJS team reported we ask if they reported the crime, but we do not ask about the ease of communication.

British Sign Language (BSL)

• An attendee enquired about the likelihood of asking respondents if they are BSL users, and if there is potential for the survey to be delivered in BSL.
• The SCJS team confirmed that they wish the survey to be as inclusive as possible, and this would be something they would discuss with the new contractors.

Accessing Emergency Services

• An attendee expressed an interest in the survey gathering information on the experiences of people who access police services via 101 or 999. Specifically, the matter of interest was the speed of responses by police for emergency and non-emergency situations, and also the waiting times when using these telephone services.
• Additionally, a matter of interest expressed was the volume of people who were aware of information about policing in their local area, such as published information on local policing matters and knowledge of how this information may be accessed.

Feelings of Safety

• It was stated that events within the local area (for example, a serious crime such as homicide) has potential to impact feelings of safety in the area.
• On feelings of safety in public spaces, it was questioned if people feel it's the responsibility of the owner of that space or the responsibility of the police to ensure feelings of safety.
• The SCJS team stated there are ongoing discussions surrounding feelings of safety and how the survey can best capture this.

Victim Support and Training for Interviewers

• It was highlighted by an attendee that the subject matters contained within the SCJS were of a sensitive nature, which raised concerns as victims of these crimes may need support when responding to the survey. Considering this, it was questioned what support and information was made available to victims in the event they had experienced these crimes.
• Related to the previous point, it was stated that media coverage of serious events, such as child homicide, can re-traumatise victims which drives them to return to available services and organisations for support.
• The SCJS team highlighted that the fieldwork interviews are carried out by external contractors, who are currently Ipsos and ScotCen. These interviewers are trained, and informed to provide access to support services to victims. Additionally, the Scottish Government also have information on the SCJS website that provides support links and other information, and additional steps are taken to assist victims, such as a 'quick exit' link in the online version of the self-completion survey, and additional quick access links to support services.