SARCS service

Back to list 04/02/2025

If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted in the last 7 days, you can phone the sexual assault self-referral phone service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 148 88 88. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.

SARCS (Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service)

This is a dedicated NHS Scotland service which offers healthcare and support in the days after a rape or sexual assault, if people are not ready, or unsure about going to the police. The campaign will signpost people to NHS Inform which will provide information about how they can access help and support and understand the options available to them.

SARCS offers a self-referral service, meaning that 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.

Across Scotland, SARCS will look after people's immediate healthcare and wellbeing needs and can support people to have a forensic medical examination if appropriate. This includes collecting certain forensic evidence (which can be kept for up to 26 months) in case they want to tell the police at a later date.

Turn to SARCS | NHS inform

The staff were very skilled, professional and empathetic. They helped us as a family work through the medical and emotional process. We know they were always there when needed.

anonymous SARCS user

SARCS can offer you

A dedicated NHS sexual assault service is available for you to get
support if you have been raped or sexually assaulted within the
last 7 days, if you are not ready to tell the police or are unsure.
Anyone aged 16 and over can self-refer to the service.
The service will help with your immediate healthcare needs and if the assault has happened within the last 7 days, it may be
appropriate for you to have a Forensic Medical Examination
(FME).
An FME is a specific type of medical examination for people who
have experienced rape or sexual assault and is carried out by a
specially trained healthcare professional. You can ask to have a
trusted friend or relative with you before, during and after the
examination if you wish.
The service can keep this evidence for up to 26 months in case
you want to tell the police at a later date.