Sexual Assault Referral Centre
A centre with support and medical facilities for victims of rape and sexual assault is now open in Cambridgeshire. This centre is the first of its kind in the county and was set up by the police in partnership with the NHS and Rape Crisis.
The sexual assualt referral centre (SARC), based at The Oasis, in Rivergate, Peterborough, is available 24/7 to victims by calling 0845 089 6262.
The centre was set up to ensure victims of rape and sexual assaults get the best service possible and have all the support facilities needed to help them through this difficult situation.
Those who use the facilities are under no obligation to report their incident to police but any forensic samples taken at the centre will be kept on record in case the victim changes their minds or can be used anonymously by officers as intelligence on potential serial offenders.
Services available
The specialist centre offers a range of services to give a victim the best care possible.
- Forensic medical examination
- Pregnancy testing
- Emergency contraception
- Advice and screening for sexually transmitted infections
- Ongoing and long term support
The phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and a member of staff will help you with what to do next.
In an emergency always dial 999.
The centre was opened on Monday, January 11th by Minister for the East of England Barbara Follett, she said: "This centre is a really peaceful, calm place which will help victims come to terms with the traumatic events that brought them here. Victims of sexual abuse will receive all the support they need, and we hope that, through coming to the centre, more men and women will be encouraged to report these crimes, as only a small per centage currently go to the police. Here, if they wish to, victims can make a statement to the police and also undergo medical examinations in the most dignified way possible.
"The police and NHS have worked together to make this first SARC in the east of England a reality. Well done."
