NHS data shows that the number of people who have been referred for specialist NHS support following rape or sexual assault has increased by almost 18 per cent in the last two years.
NHS sexual assault referral centres provide free, specialist support to anyone across England who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused, and they had 26,374 referrals last year. This compares with 22,407 referrals in 2022.
Data reveals that 61 per cent of service users last year were under the age of 25, with 27 per cent of referrals being made for children under 15.
The increase follows several national campaigns by the NHS to ensure that more survivors are aware of the support available, as well as raising awareness of the rollout of sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) among GPs. SARCs provide specialist medical care, forensic medical examinations, and referral to psychological support for survivors of sexual assault and related physical harm.
The centres offer services like crisis care, medical and forensic examinations, emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections. They can also arrange access to an independent sexual assault advisor, and refer patients to mental health support and voluntary sector sexual violence support services.
Although more survivors are accessing support, the majority of referrals (78 per cent) come from the police, rather than the being self-referred. This suggests that many survivors are not aware they can seek NHS support without going to the police if they wish.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive said: “This is one of those NHS services we all wish didn’t need to exist — but as long as there are people who need the specialist care they provide, we are determined to ensure that they can get it.
“It’s encouraging that thousands more people are now accessing support, but there is still more to do to ensure everyone affected knows of the vital care available. That’s why we’ve been raising awareness of sexual assault referral centres amongst other health professionals, and particularly local GPs, so they can get their patients the help they need, when they need it.
“These centres can be contacted 24/7, and you can stay completely anonymous, and not involve the police, if you don’t want to.”
