۱- Introduction

۲- Method

۳- Findings

۴- Discussion

۵- Conclusion

References

Abstract

The recent long-term NHS plan calls for improvements to the mental health of those attending a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARCs). The assessment of mental health is currently the subject of a systematic review being undertaken as part of the MiMoS project. However, there is a literature that examines mental health outcomes following attendance at a SARC. We review these studies and consider the implications for SARCs in England.

Introduction

The first Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in England was established at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester in 1986 in association with the Greater Manchester Police Force. Since those early days the number of SARCs in England has grown and there are now 47 countrywide. SARCs in England aim to provide a one-stop health shop for those who have been sexually assaulted. SARC services provide support to complainants of sexual assault and rape 24 h a day and 7 days a week, including health care and onward referral to other health and social care services. A SARC provides services to complainants of rape or sexual assault of any age and gender, and whether the victim reports the offence to the police or not, and can provide onward referrals to other health and social care services according to need. SARC services can deliver services to both recent and non-recent victims, and can offer complainants the opportunity to assist in a police investigation of the sexual offence against them, including a forensic medical examination with consent. Sexual assault is highly traumatising and so onward referral from a SARC might ideally include: crisis care, referral for psychological therapies, usually to IAPT (Increasing Access to Psychological Therapy Services), CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and specialist adult mental health services, and to Third Sector/Voluntary Sector specialist sexual violence support, including advocacy.