Awareness of the CRB, and the impact of CRB checks on crime, the fear of crime and job applicants Research with the general public for the Criminal

Transcription

1 Awareness of the CRB, and the impact of CRB checks on crime, the fear of crime and job applicants Research with the general public for the Criminal Records Bureau May-June 2008

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3 Contents Introduction 1 Summary of Findings 2 Respondent characteristics 4 Unprompted knowledge of the CRB 6 Prompted knowledge of the CRB 9 Sources of knowledge about the CRB 11 Fear of crime against children 13 Comparisons with findings from Fear of crime against vulnerable adults 17 Comparisons with findings from The impact of the CRB on fear of crime against children and vulnerable adults 20 Crimes against children: comparisons with Crimes against vulnerable adults: comparisons with The CRB s role 27 Diversity Group Findings 32 Appendices

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5 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Introduction This report presents the findings of a survey among members of the general public. The research was conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau). The objectives of the research were to gauge awareness of the CRB, attitudes towards the CRB s role and effectiveness and in particular perceptions of the impact of CRB checks on crime, the fear of crime and job applicants. A similar study was conducted by Ipsos MORI for the CRB in This report both analyses the findings from 2008, and tracks any changes in public awareness and perceptions of the CRB over time. Methodology: Questions were placed on two waves of the Ipsos MORI Public Affairs Monitor, the regular Ipsos MORI omnibus survey among the general public. A nationally representative quota sample of 3,671 adults (aged 16 and over) in England and Wales was interviewed. Interviews were conducted face-to-face in respondents homes, using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) on May and June, Reporting: In the graphs and tables, the figures quoted are percentages. The size of the sample base from which the percentage is derived is indicated. Note that the base may vary the percentage is not always based on the total sample. Caution is advised when comparing responses between small sample sizes. As a rough guide, please note that the percentage figures for the various subsamples or groups generally need to differ by a certain number of percentage points for the difference to be statistically significant. This number will depend on the size of the sub-group sample and the % finding itself as noted in the appendix. Where an asterisk (*) appears, it indicates a percentage of less than one, but greater than zero. Where percentages do not add up to 100%, this can be due to a variety of factors, such as the exclusion of Don t know or Other responses, multiple responses or computer rounding. Publication of data: Our standard Terms and Conditions apply to this, as to all studies we carry out. Compliance with the MRS Code of Conduct and our clearance of any copy or data for publication, web-siting or press release which contains any data derived from MORI research is necessary. This is to protect our client s reputation and integrity as much as our own. We recognise that it is in no-one s best interests to have survey findings published which could be misinterpreted, or could appear to be inaccurately, or misleadingly, presented.

6 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Summary of Findings Unprompted, it remains the case that only a minority of the general public can name the Criminal Records Bureau as the organisation which carries out checks on applicants for paid or voluntary work with children and vulnerable adults. However, the number of respondents who can name the CRB has increased significantly since 2005, from around one in five (18%) to around one in three (32%). In line with this, the proportion of respondents who say they know nothing about the agency has seen a marked fall since 2005, although where respondents do claim to know something about the CRB, reported levels of knowledge tend towards the modest ( not very much is the most frequent claim). More respondents than in 2005 (1 in 3 overall) now derive their knowledge of the CRB from being checked themselves, and around 2 in 10 respondents know someone who has been checked. However, most respondents continue to be unaware that they are likely to be the customer/user of a service, organisation or company whose staff have been checked, and this suggests some scope for awareness-raising by the CRB about the true extent to which the public benefits from the protection afforded by Disclosures. The proportion of respondents expressing concern about the potential for a number of crimes against children and vulnerable adults remains relatively high, but has fallen considerably since This may reflect the higher awareness of the CRB and what it does, and a belief that, as a result of Disclosures, children and vulnerable adults are genuinely at reduced risk. Women, DEs, Muslim respondents, those who know nothing about the CRB and unsurprisingly the relatives of children and vulnerable adults tend to express concern more frequently than other respondents. There is a high level of belief amongst the general public that CRB checks will do a fair amount or more to reduce the risk of crime against children and vulnerable adults: in both cases, around 7 in 10 respondents say that CRB checks will reduce the risk of each crime discussed. Even so, the proportion of respondents saying that CRB checks will do little or nothing to reduce the risk of children being groomed or sexually assaulted has risen (by +3 and +2 percentage points respectively) since Similarly, since 2005, a significantly smaller proportion of respondents believes that Disclosure checks can do at least a fair amount or more to reduce the risk of vulnerable adults being subject to financial abuse or fraud. Encouragingly, there is a very high public acceptance of the idea that people should be subject to Disclosure checks. Nine in ten respondents agree (with seven in ten strongly agreeing) that: they personally would be willing to be CRB checked and

7 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 they would expect anyone else to be willing to be CRB checked if they want to work on a paid or voluntary basis with either children or vulnerable adults. This finding suggests that being asked to undertake a CRB check would deter very few members of the general public from paid or voluntary work with children and/or the vulnerable. Indeed, almost all respondents with first-hand experience of the CRB (because they have been checked by the CRB or employ staff who have been checked) say they are willing to be checked (97%). Moreover, on balance, around three in four respondents agree that Disclosure checks are likely to act as a deterrent to unsuitable people who might otherwise try to apply for work with children or vulnerable adults, or will prevent unsuitable people from working with children or vulnerable adults. Similarly, over seven in ten respondents agree that the CRB is making a positive difference to the protection of children and vulnerable adults in this country, rising to over eight in ten of those with first-hand knowledge of the agency. However, while these findings are generally extremely positive for the CRB, some sections of the population are more cautious about CRB checks than others. Patterns of response are not consistent, but men, ABs, the youngest and oldest respondents, and disabled respondents tend to be less positive about CRB checks and to underplay their impact. With the exception of ABs, this tends to reflect lower levels of knowledge about the agency. It is also worth noting that although Muslim respondents tend more frequently to express concern about the risks of certain crimes, they are also less likely than other members of the public to say they would be willing to be checked. Ipsos MORI/J32230 Checked & Approved: Fiona Johnson Lizzi Milligan

8 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Respondent characteristics In order to place the survey findings in context, additional demographic information about respondents was collected. This attempted to measure the nature (if any) of their familial relationships with children and/or vulnerable adults and, in doing so, to gauge the direct or indirect salience to them of the CRB s role in protecting children and/or vulnerable adults. Table 1 below shows the proportion of respondents reporting a particular familial relationship with a child and/or vulnerable adult. Table 1 Q1/2 Can you tell me in which of the following ways, if any, you are related to a child who is under 18 years old? a vulnerable adult 1? Child under 18 Vulnerable adult Base: All respondents (3,671) % % I am Aunt/uncle 26 3 Daughter/son - 4 Grandmother/grandfather 21 3 Mother/father 31 5 Niece/nephew 12 2 Sister/brother 7 3 Wife/husband/spouse/partner * 2 None of these Source: Ipsos MORI In the reporting which follows, respondents are further categorised by whether they are the immediate relative or the secondary relative of a child and/or vulnerable adult, or the parent of a child. Immediate and secondary relatives were defined as follows: 1 Vulnerable adults were defined as anyone who is aged 18 or older and needs the support of others in order to care for themselves on a day-to-day basis because of age, serious physical or mental illness, and/or physical or mental illness

9 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Nature of relationship Immediate relative Secondary relative to child At least one of: Mother/father Sister/brother Wife/husband/spouse/partner At least one of: Aunt/uncle Grandmother/grandfather Niece/nephew to vulnerable adult At least one of: Daughter/son Mother/father Sister/brother Wife/husband/spouse/partner At least one of: Aunt/uncle Grand-daughter/grandson Grandmother/grandfather Niece/nephew It is worth noting that immediate relative and secondary relative are not mutually exclusive categories since, for example, one respondent could be both the mother of their own child (immediate relative) and the aunt of their sibling s child (secondary relative). Finally, respondents were grouped according to whether they had direct (or first-hand) knowledge of the CRB, or whether their knowledge was more anecdotal (or third party). These groupings were allocated as follows: Nature of knowledge First-hand Third-party Source Knowledge derived from being one or more of the following: An employee of the CRB Someone checked by the CRB (Disclosure applicant) An employer whose staff are CRB-checked Knowledge derived from one or more of the following: Knowing someone who has been checked Being the customer or user of a service, company or organisation whose staff are CRB-checked Reading/hearing/seeing something about the CRB in the media Again, respondents could have both first-hand and third-party knowledge of the agency.

10 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Unprompted knowledge of the CRB A third of respondents know that the Criminal Records Bureau (or something very similar to this) is the organisation that carries out background checks on those who apply for paid or voluntary work with children or vulnerable adults (32%). This represents a marked increase in awareness compared to 2005 when less than one in five members of the public could name the CRB as the agency with this function (18%). As the chart below shows, respondents remain most likely to either not know that there is an agency with this remit, or to be unable to name it (50% combined). Even so, the proportion of respondents who are completely unaware that a CRB-type organisation is in operation has fallen significantly, by two percentage points, since Q Are you able to tell me the name of the organisation or body that carries out background checks on those who apply for paid or voluntary work with children or vulnerable adults? 2005 % The CRB 18 Don t know the name of the organisation or body 39% 32% The CRB The Police Social Services 10 4 Did not know there was such an organisation or body 11% Other 2% 9% 4% Base: All respondents (3,671), May & June 2009 Base: All respondents (1,814), February 2005 The Police Social Services The Government/ Home Office 2% The Government/ Home Office/Capita or another private company Other Did not know there was such an organisation or body Don t know the name of the organisation or body * Mirroring the increase in the ability of the public overall to name the CRB, there has been an increase in respondents ability to name the CRB across key sub-groups (as shown in Table 2 below). In almost every case, unprompted knowledge of the CRB is significantly higher now than in 2005.

11 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Table 2 Q5 Are you able to tell me the name of the organisation or body that carries out background checks on those who apply for paid or voluntary work with children or vulnerable adults?* The CRB 2005 The CRB 2008 Difference Base: All respondents in England and Wales (1,814) % (3,671) % +/- % Total Gender Male Female Social class AB C C DE Children in household Yes No Level of CRB knowledge Know something Know nothing * 2005 wording: Are you able to tell me the name of the organisation or body which does checks on applicants for paid or voluntary work with children or vulnerable adults? Source: Ipsos MORI However, within key sub-groups, respondents ability to name the CRB varies, sometimes considerably. Sex As in 2005, men remain significantly less likely than women to be able to name the CRB. This finding may be related to a tendency for women to be the primary care givers for children and, hence, for the CRB s salience to be higher to them. Certainly, respondents living in households with children are more likely to be able to name the CRB (43% versus 29% of those living in households without children). Age As in 2005, the ability to name the CRB peaks amongst the and age groups (42% each), but is considerably lower amongst year olds (27%) and the over 65s (14%). These age groups are also significantly more likely than average to say they didn t know there was such an organisation or body (17% and 16% respectively, versus 11%).

12 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Social class and working status Social class has an impact on unprompted knowledge of the CRB. More than two in five of those in social class AB can name the CRB (43%); this falls to less than a quarter of those in social classes C2 and DE (both 23%). Given the link between social class and occupation, this finding is likely to reflect both whether respondents work and the type of work they do (since only certain occupations require a Disclosure). Indeed, around half as many nonworking respondents are able to name the CRB (22%) as those working fulltime (39%) or part-time (50%). It is worth noting here that women in the sample are significantly more likely to work part-time than full-time and, as discussed above, women are also significantly more likely than men to be able to name the CRB. The higher CRB awareness amongst part-time workers is at least partly explained by this overlap. Meanwhile, as in 2005, those who are not working remain less likely than those who are working to say they don t know the name of the organisation that carries out background checks on those who apply for paid or voluntary work with children or vulnerable adults (44% versus 35% of full-time workers and 31% of part-time workers), or to say they did not know there was such an organisation (14% versus 9% and 5% respectively). As could be expected, those who have had only first-hand experience of the CRB are the most likely to be aware of it: nearly three in five of these respondents can name the CRB (57%) compared to three in ten of those with only third-party experience (32%). The ability to name the CRB drops dramatically among those whose only source of knowledge about the agency is the media (15%). Other demographics Over two in five respondents who know something about the CRB are able to name it (44%) compared to just 5% who say they know nothing at all about it. Not surprisingly, the likelihood that members of the public will be able to name the CRB increases with the level of knowledge about the agency they report: 77% of those who feel they know a great deal about the CRB can name it compared to 27% of those who know not very much.

13 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Prompted knowledge of the CRB Respondents were reminded that the CRB is the name of the organisation that carries out background checks on those who apply for paid or voluntary work with children or vulnerable adults. They were subsequently asked how much they know about the CRB. Approaching one in ten know a great deal with a further 1 in 4 thinking they know a fair amount (8% and 27% respectively). More than a quarter but significantly fewer than in 2005, by five percentage points admit to knowing nothing at all (28%). Overall, seven in ten respondents (70%) know at least something about the CRB; this is up five percentage points from 2005 (65%). Q How much, if anything, would you say you know about the CRB? Don t know 3% A great deal 8% Nothing at all 28% 27% A fair amount 36% Not very much Base: All respondents (3,671) May & June 2009 Source: Ipsos MORI Levels of prompted knowledge about the CRB among sub-groups follow a broadly similar line to the unprompted responses outlined above. Sex Women are more likely than men to say they know at least a little about the CRB (72% versus 68%). Age Over seven in ten respondents in each of the age ranges 25-34, 35-44, and knows at least a little about the CRB. However, those aged are significantly more likely than average to say they know a great deal (12% versus 8%). As found regarding unprompted knowledge of the CRB, those in the oldest age bracket (75+) most frequently claim to know nothing at all about the CRB (50% compared with 28% average). Over a third of year olds (36%) also claim to know nothing at all about the CRB.

14 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Social class and working status As in 2005, it is those from the higher social classes who are more likely to know something about the CRB. More than four in five of those in social class AB know something about the agency (81%), whereas around only half of those in social classes DE say the same (54%). Despite a significant increase in the percentage of DEs who can name the CRB without prompting, there has been no change since 2005 in their reported levels of knowledge about the agency (52% knew something in 2005). In the same vein, respondents who are in full-time (75%) or part-time (83%) work are much more likely than those not working (61%) to know at least a little about the CRB. Having first-hand experience of the CRB greatly increases the level of knowledge that respondents feel they have about the agency. For example, those with only first-hand knowledge are four times more likely than those with only third-party knowledge to say they know a great deal about the CRB (17% versus 4%). Conversely, 83% of those whose knowledge of the CRB is derived purely from the media say they know not very much about the agency, compared with only 35% of those with first-hand only knowledge. Q How much, if anything, would you say you know about the CRB? Don t know A great deal 3% 8% Firsthand only (750) Thirdparty only (1,012) Media only (295) Nothing at all 28% 27% A fair amount A great deal A fair amount 17% 48% 4% 30% 1% 15% 36% Not very much Base: All respondents (3,671) May & June 2009 Not very much A fair amount or more 35% 65% 66% 34% 83% 17%

15 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Sources of knowledge about the CRB Amongst respondents who know something about the CRB (n=2,533), approaching half have been checked by the CRB (46%, or around 1 in 3 of all respondents a significant increase compared with 2005), and three in ten (31%, or around 2 in 10 of all respondents) know someone who has been checked. The number of respondents citing the media as a source of their knowledge has fallen sharply since 2005, from 34% to 20% (and despite some critical coverage of the CRB on the BBC s Watchdog programme shortly before the first wave of research). Meanwhile, the proportion of respondents saying that advertising is the source of their knowledge about the CRB has remained largely static at around 1 in 14, even though the CRB does not advertise! It is worth noting here that fewer than 1 in 10 respondents (9%, or around 1 in 17 of all respondents) say that their knowledge of the CRB derives from being the customer or user of a service, organisation or company whose staff have been checked by the CRB. But given that many more respondents than this are for example the parent of a child under 18 years old and by default are the customer or user of a service, organisation or company with CRBchecked staff, this suggests that a substantial proportion of the general public is benefiting unwittingly from the agency s work. To this extent, there may be scope for the CRB to engage in some awareness-raising activity about its work, and the range of people who are subject to Disclosures, with the general public. Q Can you tell me which of the following, if any, describes how you knew about the CRB before today? I have been checked by the CRB Someone I know/am related to has been checked by the CRB Read/heard/saw an article or feature about it in the media Am customer of/use a service/organisation/company whose staff have been checked by the CRB Advertising on TV/radio/at the cinema/on the internet I am an employer whose staff have been checked by the CRB Someone I know/am related to works for the CRB I work for the CRB Don't know % 2008 Base: All who know something about the CRB (2,533), May & June 2008 Base: All who know something about the CRB (1,159), February na 1 * % Source: Ipsos MORI

16 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Sex As in 2005, women are more likely than men to say they have been checked (52% versus 40%), but are only as likely as men to say they are the customer/user of a service, organisation or company whose staff have been checked by the CRB. This suggests that the higher awareness of the CRB amongst women is related more to their tendency to work in occupations requiring a Disclosure than the tendency for them to be primary care givers for children. Even so, respondents living in households with children are more likely than those in childless households to say their knowledge of the CRB derives from being the customer/user of a service/organisation/company that checks staff. Social class and working status ABs and C1s (50% each) are more likely than C2s and DEs (40% and 42% respectively) to say they have been checked, probably because ABC1s are more likely to be working. However, it may also be the case that the type of work they do makes ABC1s more likely to need a Disclosure. Other demographics Unsurprisingly, levels of self-reported knowledge about the CRB relate to the source of respondents knowledge about the agency. Those who have been checked by the CRB are more likely to say they now know a great deal or a fair amount about it than to say they know not very much (76% and 59% respectively versus 31%).

17 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Fear of crime against children Before any mention of the CRB was made, respondents were asked how worried they are about children being the victim of a range of different crimes by those who are meant to be caring for them. These crimes were: Being harmed (not asked in 2005); Being groomed for future sexual abuse; Being mentally abused; Being physically assaulted; and Being sexually assaulted. In each case, two-thirds or more of respondents are at least fairly worried about children being a victim of the crimes listed, as shown in the chart below. Q Could you tell me how worried you are about children becoming the victim of the following crimes by those who are meant to be caring from them? % Not at all % Not very % Fairly % Very Being sexually assaulted Being groomed for future sexual abuse Being physically assaulted Being harmed Being mentally abused Base: All respondents (3,671), May & June 2008 Comparisons with findings from 2005 Patterns of worry about children becoming the victims of particular crimes have changed considerably since Respondents are now significantly less likely to be worried about any of the crimes listed than they were three years ago. As the chart below shows, in 2005, three-quarters of respondents expressed concern about each of the offences, while in 2008, less than 7 in 10 say this. The most significant fall, of nine percentage points, relates to children being mentally abused (now 66%). The change in perceptions is even more pronounced for those who say they are very worried. In 2005, 45% of respondents were very worried about children being groomed for future sexual abuse. In 2008, this has fallen to less than a third (32%).

18 Awareness of the CRB, 2008! Q Could you tell me how worried you are about children becoming the victim of the following crimes by those who are meant to be caring for them? Sexually assaulted % Worried % Not worried Groomed for future sexual abuse Physically assaulted Mentally abused Base: All respondents (3,671) May & June 2009 Base: All respondents (1,814), February What the data cannot tell us is the drivers of this reduction in concern. In 2005, the research was conducted in the shadow of the Soham case and it may be that responses then were influenced (in the sense of being artificially pronounced) by this. To this extent, the 2008 findings more typical levels of concern. However, the findings may also reflect the higher awareness of the CRB and what it does (discussed above) and a belief that, as a result of Disclosures, children (and vulnerable adults) are genuinely at reduced risk. Being harmed More than two-thirds of respondents (69%) say that they are worried about children being harmed by people who are meant to be caring for them. Of these, approaching three in ten are very worried (29%). Women are more likely than men to say they are worried about the potential for this crime (71% versus 67%), and to say they are very worried (32% versus 27%). The same pattern of response emerges for each of the crimes discussed. As we noted in 2005, this correlates closely with findings from other crime-related research which show that women s fear of crime is generally more pronounced that that of men s. Women also tend to be more empathetic than men. As discussed earlier in this report, those in social classes DE are less likely to know about the CRB, whether prompted or unprompted. A greater proportion of this same group are worried about children being harmed than those from other social classes (75% compared with 69% average). Significantly, ABs, who are most likely to be aware of the CRB, are the least likely to be worried about the potential for this crime (64%).

19 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 As might be expected, the parents, and/or the immediate /secondary relatives, of children are more likely than average to express concern about children being harmed (72%, 72% and 72% respectively, versus 69%). There is some correlation between knowledge about the CRB and who worries are about children being harmed. Respondents who know nothing about the CRB are significantly more likely to say they are worried about children being harmed than those who know at least a little about the agency (72% compared with 69%). It is worth noting here, though, that a significantly higher proportion of respondents with first-hand only knowledge of the CRB express concern about children being harmed than both third-party only and media only respondents. It may well be that, by virtue of working for the CRB, being a Disclosure applicant, or an employer with CRB-checked staff, these respondents have a heightened, because more informed, awareness of the potential risk to children from carers. Being groomed for future sexual abuse A very similar proportion of respondents express worry about children being groomed for future sexual abuse as for being harmed. More than two-thirds are worried, while less than three in ten are either not very or not at all worried (68% and 29% respectively). An interesting pattern of response emerges amongst the relatives of children. Neither parents nor immediate relatives are more likely than average to express concern about this crime. On the other hand, secondary relatives are more likely than average to be worried (and with the exception of physical assault, this pattern of response emerges for the other crimes listed). It would seem that the proximity of the relationship between adult and child has an influence on the accuracy with which respondents can assess the level of risk to children, probably because parents will have a more realistic idea of, for example, how children spend their unsupervised time, who they spend it with and so on than, say, an aunt or an uncle. Being mentally abused Slightly fewer respondents are worried about children being mentally abused than the other two crimes previously mentioned. Two-thirds are worried, while three in ten are not (66% and 30% respectively). Being physically assaulted Approaching seven in ten respondents are worried about children suffering physical assault from those who are supposed to be caring for them (69%). In this case, parents are significantly more likely than average to be concerned (72%).

20 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Being sexually assaulted Responses relating to worry about children being sexually assaulted mirror those relating to worry about children being groomed for future sexual abuse. Just over 2 in 3 respondents are worried, while approaching three in ten are not worried (68% and 29% respectively).

21 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Fear of crime against vulnerable adults Again, before the CRB was mentioned, respondents were asked how worried they are about a number of crimes against vulnerable adults. These crimes were: Being harmed (not asked in 2005); Being mentally abused; Being physically assaulted; Being sexually assaulted; and Being the subject of financial abuse or fraud. Overall, similar proportions are concerned about such offences against vulnerable adults as were for children. Q Could you tell me how worried you are about vulnerable adults becoming the victim of the following crimes by those who are meant to be caring from them? Being the subject of financial abuse or fraud Being physically assaulted % Not at all % Not very % Fairly % Very Being sexually assaulted Being mentally abused Being harmed Base: All respondents (3,671), May & June 2008 Comparisons with findings from 2005 As with crimes against children, fewer respondents express worry about offences against vulnerable adults in 2008 than in The sexual abuse of vulnerable adults is the crime which has seen the greatest fall in expressed concern: eight percentage points lower than in Again as seen with opinion about crimes against children, the most pronounced fall is among those who are very worried. For example, more than a third of respondents in 2005 were very worried about vulnerable adults being physically assaulted (37%); three years later, this has fallen to a quarter (25%).

22 Awareness of the CRB, 2008! Q Could you tell me how worried you are about vulnerable adults becoming the victim of the following crimes by those who are meant to be caring for them? % Worried % Not worried Subject of financial abuse or fraud Physically assaulted Sexually assaulted Mentally abused Base: All respondents (3,671) May & June 2008 Base: All respondents (1,814), February 2005 Being harmed Two-thirds of respondents are worried about this crime, while approaching three in ten show little or no worry about it (66% and 29% respectively). As with children, women are more likely than men to express concern about vulnerable adults being harmed (70% versus 63%). This pattern of response is the same for all the crimes listed. Similarly, DEs are significantly more likely than average to express concern about vulnerable adults falling victim to each of the crimes discussed, except financial abuse or fraud. C2s are significantly more likely than ABs and C1s to be concerned about vulnerable adults being harmed (69% versus 62% and 64% respectively). C2s are also more likely than ABs to be concerned about vulnerable adults falling prey to mental, physical and sexual abuse. Parents and the immediate/secondary relatives of vulnerable adults are no more likely than average to express concern about vulnerable adults being harmed. As was seen in relation to children, those with first-hand only knowledge of the CRB are more likely than average to express concern about vulnerable adults being harmed. This is true, too, of all the other crimes listed.

23 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Being mentally abused Two-thirds of respondents overall (66%) are worried about vulnerable adults being mentally abused by those who are meant to be caring for them. This compares with the three in ten who are not worried (29%). The immediate relatives of vulnerable adults are more likely than average to express concern about vulnerable adults being mentally abused. Being physically assaulted A slightly higher proportion of respondents is worried about vulnerable adults being physically assaulted than for the two offences discussed previously. Just over two-thirds are worried; the proportion who are not worried remains marginally below the three in ten mark (67% and 29% respectively). Parents and the immediate/secondary relatives of vulnerable adults are no more likely than average to express concern about vulnerable adults being physically assaulted. Being sexually assaulted As noted above, worry about vulnerable adults being sexually abused has seen the most significant fall since It is the only offence about which less than two-thirds of respondents are worried (62%). Conversely, over a third is not worried (33%). As before, parents and the immediate/secondary relatives of vulnerable adults are no more likely than average to express concern about vulnerable adults being sexually assaulted. Being the subject of financial abuse or fraud Vulnerable adults being subject to financial abuse or fraud is the offence for which the highest proportion of respondents express worry. Approaching seven in ten are worried, while only slightly more than a quarter are not concerned (68% and 27% respectively). The immediate and secondary relatives of vulnerable adults are more likely than average to express concern about vulnerable adults being subject to financial abuse or fraud (76% and 74% respectively, versus 68%).

24 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 The impact of the CRB on fear of crime against children and vulnerable adults There is a high level of belief amongst the general public that CRB checks will do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of crime against children and vulnerable adults. In relation to children, over 7 in 10 respondents believe that CRB checks will reduce the risk of each crime discussed, while around 7 in 10 respondents say the same in relation to vulnerable adults. Q How much, if at all, do you think a CRB check should reduce the risk of children being the victim of the following crimes by those who are meant to be caring for them? % Not at all % Not very much % A fair amount % A great deal Being sexually assaulted Being groomed for future sexual abuse Being physically assaulted Being harmed Being mentally abused Base: All respondents (3,671), May & June 2008

25 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Q How much, if at all, do you think a CRB check should reduce the risk of vulnerable adults being the victim of the following crimes by those who are meant to be caring for them? % Not at all % Not very % Fairly % Very Being sexually assaulted Being physically assaulted Being harmed Being mentally abused Being the subject of financial abuse or fraud Base: All respondents (3,671), May & June Crimes against children: comparisons with 2005 Compared with 2005, more respondents now say that CRB checks will either hardly or not at all reduce the risk of children being groomed or sexually assaulted (+3 and +2 percentage points respectively). Otherwise, though, the distribution of responses remains the same as in "#! Q How much, if at all, do you think a CRB check should reduce the risk of children being the victim of the following crimes by those who are meant to be caring for them? % A great deal/fair amount % Not very much/none at all Sexually assaulted Groomed for future sexual abuse Physically assaulted Mentally abused Base: All respondents (3,671) May & June 2008 Base: All respondents (1,814), February

26 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Being harmed More than three-quarters of respondents (77%) think that a CRB check should reduce the risk of children being harmed by those who are meant to be caring for them, including 1 in 3 overall who think it will reduce the risk a great deal (32%). ABs are significantly more likely than average (80% versus 77% respectively), and DEs significantly less likely than average (72% versus 77% respectively) to think that CRB checks will do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of children being harmed. This same pattern of response is repeated for each of the crimes discussed. The parents, and immediate/secondary relatives of children are all more likely than average (80% each) to say the same, and again this is repeated for each of the crimes discussed. Knowing at least something about the CRB also increases the likelihood that respondents will say that CRB checks reduce the risk of children being harmed (80% versus 73% of those who know nothing). In the same vein, having first-hand only and third-party only knowledge of the agency means that respondents are more likely than average (82% and 82% respectively, versus 77%) to say that CRB checks do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of being harmed, while those with media only knowledge of the CRB are no more likely than average to do so. As we have seen before with other sub-group differences, this pattern of response repeats for all the crimes discussed. Being groomed for future sexual abuse Three-quarters of respondents (75%) are confident that a CRB check should do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of children being groomed for future sexual abuse. However, approaching one in five respondents do not express the same confidence (19%). Along with ABs, C1 and C2 respondents are significantly more likely than DEs to think that CRB checks will do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of children being groomed. Moreover, C1s are significantly more likely than average to say that CRB checks will do a great deal to reduce the risk of this crime (37% versus 33%). The youngest (16-24 years old) and oldest (75+) survey respondents are less likely than average (70% and 67% respectively, versus 75%) to think that CRB checks will do a fair amount or more to reduce the risk of grooming. It is worth noting, though, that these findings reflect a higher incidence of don t know responses by these respondents rather than active doubt about the efficacy of Disclosures.

27 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Being mentally abused The lowest proportion of respondents (but still a clear majority) agrees that a CRB check will do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of children being mentally abused (73%). Conversely, a little over one in five respondents the most for any of the crimes considered by the survey believes that Disclosures will do little or nothing to reduce the risk of this crime (21%). As before, along with ABs, C1 and C2 respondents are significantly more likely than DEs to think that CRB checks will do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of children being groomed. It is worth noting, though, that the differences observed between the different social classes at the aggregate level (a great deal + a fair amount) reflect a higher number of don t know responses by DEs. Where they express a firm view either way, DEs, along with C1 respondents, are significantly more likely than ABs to say that CRB checks will actually do a great deal to reduce the risk of this crime (32% and 31% respectively, versus 27%). Being physically abused More than three-quarters of respondents (76%) are confident that a CRB check should reduce the risk of children being physically abused. Along with ABs, C1 and C2 respondents are significantly more likely than DEs to think that CRB checks will do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of children being physically assaulted. Being sexually assaulted More than three-quarters of the general public (77%) are confident in the CRB s ability to reduce the risk of children being sexually assaulted. Along with ABs, C1 respondents are significantly more likely than those in social classes C2 and DE to think that CRB checks will do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of children being sexually assaulted. Crimes against vulnerable adults: comparisons with 2005 As the chart below shows, a majority of respondents is confident, for each of the crimes considered, that CRB checks should do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of vulnerable adults becoming victims of those crimes. However, compared to 2005, a significantly smaller proportion of respondents believes that Disclosure checks can do at least a fair amount or more to reduce the risk of vulnerable adults being subject to financial abuse or fraud. At the same time, the proportion of respondents who say that CRB checks will do little or nothing to reduce the risk of any of the crimes considered has increased significantly in each case since 2005.

28 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 "#! Q How much, if at all, do you think a CRB check should reduce the risk of vulnerable adults being the victim of the following crimes by those who are meant to be caring for them? % A great deal/fair amount % Not very much/none at all Sexually assaulted Physically assaulted Mentally abused Subject of financial abuse or fraud Base: All respondents (3,671) May & June 2008 Base: All respondents (1,814), February Source: Ipsos MORI Being harmed Approaching three-quarters of respondents (74%) think that CRB checks will help to reduce the risk of vulnerable adults being harmed at least a fair amount, a significantly lower proportion than those who are confident about the CRB s efficacy in relation to children. AB and C1 respondents are significantly more likely than DEs to think that CRB checks will do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of vulnerable adults being harmed. As before, though, it is worth noting that the differences observed between the different social classes at the aggregate level (a great deal + a fair amount) reflect a higher number of don t know responses by DEs. Where they express a firm view either way, DEs are significantly more likely than respondents in the other social classes to say that checks will actually do a great deal to reduce the risk of this crime (33% versus 26% ABs, 30% C1s and 28% C2s). A very similar pattern emerges in respect of the risk of sexual assault by carers. The parents of vulnerable adults are more likely than average to believe that CRB checks will reduce the risk of harm at least a fair amount (82% versus 74%). Those with first-hand only and third-party only experience of the CRB are more likely than average (79% and 79% respectively, versus 74%) to say that CRB checks do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of being harmed, while those with media only knowledge of the CRB are no more likely than average to do so. As we have seen before with other sub-group differences, this pattern of response largely repeats for all the crimes discussed.

29 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Being mentally abused Seven in ten respondents (71%) are confident that CRB checks will help to reduce the risk of vulnerable adults being mentally abused by their carers. ABs are significantly more likely than respondents in all the other social classes to not be confident that CRB checks will reduce the risk of vulnerable adults being mentally abused (25% versus 21% C1s, 20% C2s and 19% DEs). Both the parents and the immediate relatives of vulnerable adults are more likely than average to believe that CRB checks will reduce the risk of mental abuse by carers at least a fair amount (80% and 75% respectively versus 71%). Those with first-hand only experience of the CRB are more likely than average (77% versus 71%) to say that CRB checks do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of vulnerable adults being mentally abused by carers, while those with third-party only and media only knowledge of the CRB are no more likely than average to do so. Being physically assaulted Approaching three-quarters of respondents (74%) are confident about the impact of CRB checks on reducing the risk of vulnerable adults being physically assaulted by those who are meant to be caring for them. AB respondents are significantly more likely than DEs to think that CRB checks will do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of vulnerable adults being physically assaulted. Again, however, these differences observed at the aggregate level (a great deal + a fair amount) reflect a higher number of don t know responses by DEs. Where they express a firm view either way, DEs are significantly more likely than ABs to say that checks will actually do a great deal to reduce the risk of this crime (34% versus 27%). Both the parents and the immediate relatives of vulnerable adults are more likely than average to believe that CRB checks will reduce the risk of physical assault by carers at least a fair amount (84% and 79% respectively versus 74%). Those with first-hand only and third-party only experience of the CRB are more likely than average (79% and 78% respectively, versus 74%) to say that CRB checks do at least a fair amount to reduce the risk of physical assault by carers, while those with media only knowledge of the CRB are no more likely than average to do so. This pattern of response is true, too, in regard to sexual assault and to financial abuse or fraud.

30 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 Being sexually assaulted Three-quarters of respondents (75%) are confident about the impact of CRB checks in reducing the risk of this particular offence. The youngest (16-24 years old) and oldest (75+) survey respondents are less likely than average (71% and 66% respectively, versus 75%) to think that CRB checks will do a fair amount or more to reduce the risk to vulnerable adults of sexual assault. However, it is worth noting that these findings reflect a higher incidence of don t know responses by these respondents (particularly those age 75+) rather than active doubt about the efficacy of Disclosures. Being the subject of financial abuse or fraud The lowest proportion of respondents is confident about the potential impact of CRB checks in reducing the risk of this offence for vulnerable adults. Here, less than seven in ten (69%) express a great deal or fair amount of confidence. None of the social classes is more likely than average, or each other, to express either confidence or a lack of confidence in the extent to which Disclosures are likely to reduce the risk of this crime. A higher than average number of parents and the immediate relatives of vulnerable adults express confidence in CRB checks reducing the risk of financial abuse or fraud by carers at least a fair amount (78% and 74% respectively versus 69%).

31 Awareness of the CRB, 2008 The CRB s role Respondents were asked how strongly they agreed or disagreed with a range of statements to test the perceived effectiveness of the CRB. Table 3 below shows that respondents have a strongly positive outlook on the impact of the CRB. Amongst members of the general public, there is a high level of acceptance that they personally should be subject to a Disclosure check, should they wish to undertake either paid or voluntary work with children or vulnerable adults: in both cases over nine in ten respondents agree, with over 7 in 10 strongly agreeing. Similarly, there is a high level of expectation amongst members of the public that everyone else should be subject to a Disclosure check, should they wish to undertake either paid or voluntary work with children or vulnerable adults. An overwhelming majority of respondents more than 9 in 10 (91%) each agrees that anyone who is going to do paid or voluntary work with children or vulnerable adults should be willing to have their background checked to show that they do not pose a risk of harm. Just one percent does not concur (1%). This finding suggests that being asked to undertake a CRB check would deter very few members of the general public from paid or voluntary work with children and/or the vulnerable. Although few respondents seem to realise that they probably already are the customers or users of services, companies and organisations where the staff are checked by the CRB, a high proportion of respondents (79% a significant increase of five percentage points compared with 2005) agrees that they would be more likely to be the customer of/use a service, organisation or company whose staff were CRB checked than one whose staff have not been CRB checked. As noted earlier in this report, there would seem to be some scope for the CRB to undertake awareness-raising work with the general public, and this finding would be a good one on which to build, since it could be beneficial too for employers when promoting themselves to users or customers. Over three-quarters of respondents (77%) agree that Disclosure checks are likely to act as a deterrent to unsuitable people who might otherwise try to apply for work with children or vulnerable adults. Similarly, most (75%) agree that Disclosure checks will prevent unsuitable people from working with children or vulnerable adults. It is worth noting, however, that the balance of agreement for these and other, related statements is with tend to rather than strongly agree. Thus, while the majority concurs that the CRB is making a positive difference to the protection of children and vulnerable adults in this country, only 1 in 3 respondents who say this strongly agrees. This pattern of response suggests a degree of uncertainty in respondents minds about the CRB s efficacy and again suggests some scope for awareness-raising amongst the public, to demonstrate the agency s impact.