SARCS: forensic medical services for victims of sexual offences
There is a Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) in every health board in Scotland.
SARCS is an NHS service which offers healthcare and forensic medical examination services following a recent rape or sexual assault.
If someone reports a rape or sexual assault to the police, they will support the person to attend a SARCS, depending on when the assault happened.
If someone doesn’t want to tell the police, or are unsure, they can self-refer to a SARCS.
Self-referral means that - subject to professional judgement - anyone aged 16 or over can access healthcare and request a forensic medical examination in the days following an assault, without first having to make a report to the police.
The SARCS can retain certain forensic evidence - which can be kept for up to 26 months - should the person decide to report to the police at a later date.
Further information about SARCS and how to self-refer to the service, can be found on NHS Inform: Turn to SARCS | NHS inform.