Visiting Our SARC.
If you have experienced sexual violence or sexual abuse, we really want to encourage you to get in touch with us, so that you can receive the support and important healthcare you might need. However, it is completely your choice.
We understand that you might be feeling confused about what steps to take next, so we have provided you with some information below, which will hopefully help you to make decisions which are right for you and your needs.
Booking an Appointment
We can’t offer a walk-in service at The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), so please let us know if you would like to book an appointment. We can arrange for you to visit us within 24 hours, so you won’t have to wait long.
To book an appointment with us, please visit our Appointments page.
When You Arrive
When you arrive you will be welcomed by one of our friendly Support Workers and a Forensic Nurse Examiner. To learn more about The SARC team, please click here.
You are welcome to bring somebody with you, maybe a friend or family member, if that makes you feel more comfortable. If you have asked the Police to be involved, they will usually bring you to the SARC once they have booked an appointment for you.
We will make sure you are as comfortable as possible once you are at our centre.
Explaining the Process & Time for Questions
We will go through the SARC process with you and make sure that you understand everything. Don’t worry if it seems like a lot of information, we will re-explain each stage of the process as we go along. You can choose to use as much or as little of the service as you want to. It’s OK if you change your mind at any point – we are here to support you and your choices. During this time, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have, but feel free to ask as many questions as you like throughout the process as well.
You can learn more about the services we offer at the SARC here.
Before You Leave
Although you will only be with our team at the SARC for a short amount of time (typically 4-6 hours), we want to make sure that you receive ongoing aftercare and support when you leave our SARC.
If you agree to additional support, it is likely that your Nurse and Support Worker will refer you onto other helpful services, who will be able to offer you additional support following your appointment with us.
Confidentiality
Everything you tell us during your visit to our SARC is usually treated in confidence and you don’t need to tell us anything you feel unable to talk about. We understand that this can be a very difficult process and we will do whatever we can to help you through it, during and after your visit to the SARC.
If children are involved, or if you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, we may have an obligation to inform other agencies. This will be discussed at the time, so you will also know where your information is being shared.
