NHS Orkney Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
Information about the NHS Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS)
If you have recently been raped or sexually assaulted, it’s understandable if you don’t know what to do or where to turn.
SARCS is a dedicated NHS service which can offer healthcare and support in the days after an assault, if you are not ready to tell the police or are unsure.
What options are available to me?
Police report
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can report it to the police at any time, in an emergency situation dial 999, non-emergencies dial 101, www.scotland.police.uk
Self-referral to a SARCS
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted within the last 7 days and do not want to tell the police or are unsure about telling them now - you can self-refer to a SARCS. This means you don’t need a GP or other healthcare professional to refer you to a SARCS - you can do this yourself.
You can phone a dedicated NHS telephone number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and speak to a specially trained healthcare professional who can help to arrange the care you might need.
You can find more information about how to self-refer to a SARCS and the telephone number to call, on the NHS Inform website www.nhsinform.scot/sarcs
Local Information/Support :
Orkney Rape & Sexual Assault Service (ORSAS) SCIO
- ORSAS supports anyone aged 13+ of any gender who has experienced rape or any other forms of sexual violence at any time in their life, in person or online.
- ORSAS offers specialist sexual violence advocacy for people who are in their journey in the legal and court process this includes support to report, attend forensic examinations and self-referral forensics.
- ORSAS also provides information and support to family, friends, partners and professionals supporting survivors and campaigns to improve services for survivors.
Contact Information:
- Telephone: 01856 872298
- Email: contact@orsas.scot
- Website: https://orsas.scot
Out with office hours support is available through the Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline
T:08088 010302 6pm-midnight every night
A full range of resources for survivors can be found at: https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/resources/
Victim Support Orkney
Victim Support Orkney is located in Kirkwall where their service has a support team specialising in –
- Support for people after a crime
- Help with Victim Impact Statements
- Information regarding court attendance for victims and witnesses
For further information please click on link: https://victimsupport.scot/locations/victim-support-orkney/
Women’s Aid Orkney
Women’s Aid Orkney provide free and confidential support to women and children affected by domestic abuse.
For further information please click on link: https://womensaidorkney.org.uk/