New NHS campaign launches to support survivors of sexual assault and abuse

NHS Sexual Assault Referral Centres are here for you if you have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused.

The NHS has today launched a new campaign to raise awareness of sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) – specialist NHS services that provide a safe space and dedicated care for anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused.

The campaign aims to highlight these vital NHS support services, with new data of over 4,000 respondents in England finding that over half of respondents (56%) who have been sexually assaulted or abused did not seek help from any organisation or service after the incident, and 46% citing fear of being believed, as the biggest barrier to not accessing services.

Nearly half (44%) of those responding also say they don’t know or aren’t sure where to get help if they had been sexually assaulted, and 72% are currently unaware of the support available via the NHS.

This highlights the crucial need to raise awareness of Sexual Assault Referral Centres, which are available for everyone 24/7 and regardless of when the incident happened.

If you have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused and don't know where to turn, search ‘sexual assault referral centres’ to find out more or head to www.nhs.uk/SARCs to find your nearest service.