Sexual Violence Support

Information about the NHS Sexual Assault Response Coordination ServiceĀ (SARCS)

Ā 

If you have recently been raped or sexually assaulted, it’s understandable if you don’t know what to do or where to turn.

SARCS is a dedicated NHS service which canĀ offer healthcare and support in the days after an assault, if you are not ready to tell the police or are unsure.

Ā 

What options are available to me?

Ā 

Police report

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can report it to the police at any time,Ā in an emergency situation dial 999, non-emergencies dial 101, Ā www.scotland.police.uk

Ā 

Self-referral to a SARCS

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted within the last 7 days and do not want to tell the police or are unsure about telling them now – you can self-refer to a SARCS. This means you don’t need a GP or other healthcare professional to refer you to a SARCS – you can do this yourself.


You can phone a dedicated NHS telephone number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and speak to a specially trained healthcare professional who can help to arrange the care you might need.Ā Ā 

You can find more information about how to self-refer to a SARCS and the telephone number to call, on the NHS Inform websiteĀ www.nhsinform.scot/sarcs