Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) - All you need to know.
We understand it can feel difficult or overwhelming to consider attending a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), especially if you have never heard of one before.
A SARC provides coordinated forensic, medical, and emotional support for anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault—recent or non-recent.
SARCs are safe, confidential spaces where you remain in control of what happens at every stage.
What support is available?
Depending on your needs, a SARC may offer:
Crisis worker support
Forensic medical examination (with your consent)
Emergency contraception and pregnancy testing
Sexual health screening (STIs and HIV PEP risk assessment)
Referral to an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA)
Counselling or further support services
You do not need to make all decisions at once.
Do I need to report to the police?
No.
You can access a SARC without reporting to the police (self-referral).
If you are unsure about reporting, evidence can still be collected and stored in case you decide to report later.
Consent and control
Everything is based on your informed consent.
Trained professionals will:
explain each step clearly
check in with you throughout
support your choices without pressure
You are always in control.
Important information about self-swab kits
You may see at-home or self-swab “rape kits” advertised as a way to collect evidence after sexual assault.
While this may seem helpful, evidence collection needs to be carried out in a safe, trauma-informed, and legally compliant environment to be reliable in any investigation.
SARCs provide forensic examinations in controlled settings, carried out by trained professionals. This allows for a more complete and legally robust collection of evidence, along with immediate medical and emotional support.
At-home kits:
cannot collect the full range of evidence
may not be legally admissible
do not provide specialist support
For these reasons, SARCs are the recommended route for forensic care.
More information on self-swab kits is available via our partner resource: [Rape Crisis England & Wales – Self-swab kits information]
How to access a SARC
You can access a SARC by:
self-referral (contacting them directly) | Blue Sky Centre or Horizon SARC
police referral (if you choose to report)
Additional support
Victim Support for independent advice and emotional support
ISVAs for specialist guidance through options and reporting
