We encourage anyone who experiences rape, sexual assault, or abuse to contact the local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). The centres are independent of policing and focus on providing practical and specialised support, including confidential medical care and advice. There is no requirement or pressure to make a report to the police if the person doesn’t feel ready or does not wish to do this.
Collecting and storing samples at the SARC means the integrity of the evidence is much less likely to be called into question further along in the criminal justice process should the person wish to access it. While we understand victims and survivors of sexual offences may wish to provide samples in familiar surroundings and may not wish to make a report to police, there are concerns around the use of self-swabbing kits. (The Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine published information about the risks, which you can read here).
Rape and serious sexual offences are often complex crimes, and we recognise there is work to be done to improve trust and confidence around reporting. We continue in our collaborative approach with partners across West Yorkshire to give the best possible opportunity of justice for victim-survivors and to prosecute those responsible.
At the SARC, there is a choice of a Forensic Medical Examination for recent victims of rape or sexual assault and abuse. If a person decides to have this, samples can be collected and appropriately stored while they consider their options on next steps.
You can find out more at the Hazlehurst Website.