Our Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides practical, medical and emotional support support to anyone who has experienced sexual assault or rape.

With the recent opening of our new centre in Exeter, this month we sat down with Lyndsay Howell, who is General Manager of Devon & Cornwall SARC. Lyndsay tells us more about the important work of the SARC and how staff are providing specialist help and support to those who need it most.

What does the SARC team do?

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) offer holistic care to children and adults who have experienced sexual harm. Devon & Cornwall has three centres based in Exeter, Plymouth and Truro offering support across the region.

What support do you provide to patients?

We provide practical, emotional and medical support and services include: forensic medical examinations to help with police investigations; injury documentation; access to emergency medication; crisis support and onwards care through therapy and Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVA).

What do patients experience at the SARC?

Our centres offer a dedicated team of specialist NHS doctors, nurses and support workers. On arrival at our medical suite, a crisis worker will support and care for you from the moment you arrive. They will act as your advocate and ensure that everything happens at your pace and with your agreement. Our nurses and doctors will be there to offer you medical care, including forensic examination, emergency medications and onward referrals for sexual health screening and support services. Everything we do is about providing choice for people so they can regain a sense of control following trauma.

Why are SARCs so important?

Our centres provide a much needed service to our local communities. In 2024, Devon & Cornwall SARC provided support to 1361 adults who had been raped or sexually assaulted. 347 of those adults attended SARCs for forensic medical examination. Over the same time period, the paediatric service also supported 1499 children, with 235 of those attending for examination. SARCs give people choice and control in a safe environment, where they are believed and listened too. SARCs are often the start of someone’s recovery following significant harm.

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about the team/service?

If you’ve experienced sexual harm, you may need time to process what has happened to you. If you are unsure about whether or not you want to report the assault to the police, we offer an information line - 0300 303 4626 - and one of our specially trained staff will talk to you about your options and how we can help. You do not have to report to the police. We are primarily a health service with forensic options. You can refer yourself to our service, via on online referral form. For those that do want the crime to be investigated, the sooner the forensic medical examination takes place the better. After ten days, evidence can no longer be gathered but we can still offer help and support in other ways.

How can someone contact a SARC?

SARC services are available 24 hours, 365 days a year to anyone, regardless of age, sexual orientation or gender-identity who may need our services. The Devon & Cornwall SARC helpline is 0300 303 4626, or you can visit our website sarchelp.co.uk for more information.