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See other news storiesMore funding for sexual assault referral centres
7 October 2008
The Home Secretary has pledged an extra £1.6 million to increase the support offered to victims of sexual assault.
Sexual assault referral centres (known as 'SARCs') are designed to give victims as much help as possible in one location.
So each SARC can offer:
- immediate medical exams and treatment
- counselling
- forensic examinations for evidence that could be used to find the attacker
- legal assistance.
There are currently 22 SARCs in England and Wales, and the funding announced this week will help build ten new centres. The development of the additional centres will ensure that all victims of sexual assault in England and Wales have access to a SARC.
Few crimes are more horrific
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the centres not only improve the support offered to victims, but also can help to encourage victims to report the attacks to the police, which could help ensure that more attackers are arrested and charged.
'There are few crimes more horrific than rape, and I am determined to ensure that every victim has immediate access to the services and support they need,' she said. 'I want to see a sexual assault referral centre in every area, and I urge areas to apply for this new £1.6 million funding.'
The organisation Rape Crisis issued a statement saying that SARCs offer critical help to victims: 'Rape Crisis (England and Wales) fully support this move towards making SARCs sustainable and available to all. Those who report sexual assault deserve high quality responses.'
Grants available to set up a new SARC
Ten grants of up to £75,000 are available to areas wanting to set up a new SARC. Existing SARCs can bid for one of 10 grants of up to £25,000 capital funding and one of 20 grants of up to £30,000 resource funding.
Watch a video about SARCs on the Home Office YouTube channel (new window).
