Important update
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, West of Scotland Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCs) is there to help. Their team is made up of experts trained in caring for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
If the assault took place in the last seven days, they can provide clinical care. You are able to access their services with or without the police. The police can be contacted on 101.
If you are unsure about whether you want to tell the police, they can collect your evidence and store it, which will give you more time to consider your decision.
Going to a SARC without the police is called a self-referral. From 1 April 2022, The Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Act 2021 is enacted, this legislation allows victims of sexual offences to request a Forensic Medical Examination (FME) by self-referring within seven days of the assault.
That means victims of sexual assault are able to attend any SARC within the West of Scotland. That has included the introduction of two new facilities – The Willows in Ayrshire and The Dunnock Suite in Lanarkshire.
Work is currently ongoing in Glasgow for two new suites for Archway Glasgow.
More Information If you wish to self-refer, please visit: www.nhsinform.scot/SARCS.
You can also visit the West of Scotland Rape and Sexual Assault Service portal https://nhswossarc.scot/ to find out more about our services in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.
Access to all SARCs is appointment based only. To contact those services directly, please phone: 0141 211 8175. Archway Glasgow is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Please note that Rape Crisis Scotland supports people who have been raped or sexually assaulted at any time after the assault.