Exeter’s new state-of-the-art Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) is set to become one of the first in the UK to meet new forensic regulations and accreditation standards that will come into force this autumn.
SARCs offer free specialist medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused. It is a safe space for victims where optional forensic medical examinations can be arranged, even if they have not decided if they want to report the assault.
NHS advice states that the sooner a victim has a forensic medical examination the better as there is more chance of collecting evidence and that they can choose to only have some samples taken, for example, urine or clothing.
All SARCs are required by October to have obtained accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and meet Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) standards.
The new standards will reduce the risk of evidence collected at a SARC being challenged within court proceedings. Exeter’s new SARC was officially opened in February by Her Majesty the Queen.
Along with SARCs in Truro and Plymouth, it is co-funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, NHS England and Devon & Cornwall Police.
SARCs are open 24/7 and provide crisis care, healthcare, forensic medical examinations, emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections. Importantly, it is a confidential service and is available to any child or adult who has experienced sexual harm – regardless of whether they report the incident to police.
Last year, Devon & Cornwall SARC services provided support to 1,361 adults from across Devon and Cornwall who had been raped or sexually abused. Of those, 347 attended for a forensic medical examination.
The Exeter SARC also hosts the children’s centre of excellence. In 2024, the service helped 1,499 children who had experienced sexual harm. Of those, 235 attended for a forensic medical examination.
The OPCC also contributes to funding Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) which is now delivered by the Bridge Project South West which brings together the expertise of seven organisations, including The Women’s Centre Cornwall and Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services.
ISVAs offer specialist support to victims and survivors of sexual violence, including emotional and practical assistance, information on rights and options, and advocacy within the legal process.
Lyndsay Howell, General Manager of Devon & Cornwall SARCs, said: “Exeter is now proudly offering three self-contained forensic pods which allows for one directional movement and each one has an air flow system that minimises the risk of trace evidence being transferred. We can now also offer five counselling rooms on site.
“All children are screened for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and are offered trauma focused therapy which delivers really good long-term outcomes.
“Around 70 per cent of all adult referrals we receive are from the police, but we also welcome people who wish to self-refer, without involving the police.
“We are independent of the police; we’re a health service which can also offer forensic options. It’s also a bespoke service and everyone who attends can be referred on to an ISVA.
“For us, it’s important to ensure people know that the forensic side is just a tiny part of the service. The biggest part is the therapeutic time we spend with them. It’s about listening, validation and ensuring what happens next is their choice as they are in control.”
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez has praised the vital services provided by Devon & Cornwall SARC services and remains committed to ensuring victim support and prevention work around sexual violence remains a key priority.
She said: “In Devon and Cornwall, we have seen a concerning rise in recorded sexual offences over the years. Since 2010, the number of these crimes has more than tripled.
“While some of this increase can be attributed to greater reporting and awareness, the true picture remains unknown due to fear and stigma when deciding whether to report sexual violence, an uncertainty over justice and support.
“My aim is to continue to try and break down those barriers by making sure every victim of sexual violence – whatever their age or gender – receives the right free support from the services I commission. NHS England commissions SARCs in partnership with PCCs. Last year, for 2024-25, my office funded £333,993 towards Devon and Cornwall SARCs.
“In my latest budget, I have invested £3.5milllion to specifically supporting victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse and reducing reoffending.
“It is in addition to my new £5million five-year partnership with the Bridge Partnership to provide ISVAs across Devon and Cornwall.
“I am also encouraged by recent court cases where Devon & Cornwall Police has brought sexual violence offenders to justice following the bravery of victims coming forward. It sends a clear message that abuse and violence in any form will not be tolerated in our society where everyone has a right to feel safe.”
Devon & Cornwall Police is part of an ongoing transformative national programme aiming to improve the investigation and prosecution of rape and other sexual offences. Known as Operation Soteria, the project drives improvement through a victim-centred, suspect-focused and context-led approach to investigations, seeking to disrupt the behaviour of repeat suspects, and have a trauma-informed, procedural justice approach to victims.
Devon & Cornwall SARCs are open 24 hours, 365 days a year. They operate a 24-hour information and referral line (0300 303 4626) and access is by appointment only. For more information please click here. To watch a video explaining more about the centre, please visit SARC with subtitles on Vimeo.
To access victim support online funded by the OPCC, including Devon & Cornwall Police Victim Care Unit, please visit the Victim Care website at https://victimcare-dc.org/
Victims of rape and serious sexual offences in Devon and Cornwall can find out what happens when such crimes are reported to the police and the support available throughout the process through a new video created by the OPCC as part of its wider Criminal Justice and You online resource. Please visit https://victimcare-dc.org/your-journey-through-the-criminal-justice-system/