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Can you get a SARC appointment without reporting to the police?
Yes. In the UK, you can usually contact a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) without making a police report first. SARCs are designed to support anyone who has experienced a sexual offence, whether or not they want to involve the police.
You can ask for help, medical care, and advice straight away. In many areas, you can self-refer, or a support service, GP, sexual health clinic, hospital, or police officer can refer you.
What happens at the first appointment?
Your first appointment is usually focused on your health, safety, and choices. A trained nurse, doctor, or support worker will explain what can happen and check what you want to do.
You may be offered a forensic examination, injury care, emergency contraception, STI testing, and emotional support. You do not have to agree to every part of the process.
Can evidence still be collected if you are unsure about reporting?
Yes. In some cases, a SARC can collect and store forensic evidence even if you are not ready to speak to the police. This is sometimes called “anonymous” or “anonymous timed” evidence collection, depending on the local service.
This can help you keep your options open. You can decide later whether to make a police report, though time limits may affect what evidence can still be gathered.
What should you do first?
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you are safe, try to contact a SARC as soon as you can, because they can advise you on the best next steps.
Before going, it may help to avoid washing, changing clothes, eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth, if you can. But if you have already done any of these things, you should still seek help.
What if you do not want police involvement at all?
That is your choice. A SARC should respect your decision and explain the options without pressuring you to report.
You can also ask for support from an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser, a helpline, or a local sexual violence service. They can help you understand your choices and support you at your own pace.
Getting help in the UK
You do not need to wait until you have decided everything. Contacting a SARC can be a first step whether you want medical help, evidence preservation, or simply information.
If you are unsure where your nearest SARC is, NHS services, local police websites, and sexual violence support charities can help you find one. The most important thing is to get support in the way that feels safest for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
A sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK is a confidential medical and support appointment at a SARC where you can get specialist care, advice, and options explained without needing to make a police report.
Yes. A sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK can usually be arranged even if you do not want to involve the police, and staff will explain your choices without pressuring you.
You can usually book a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK by contacting a local SARC directly, calling a specialist helpline, or being referred by a healthcare professional or support service.
Anyone in the UK who has experienced sexual assault or rape and wants specialist support may be eligible for a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK, subject to local service criteria such as age or location.
During a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK, you may receive medical care, a discussion of your concerns, testing or treatment if needed, and information about evidence collection and support services, all at your pace.
Yes. In some cases, evidence can be collected during a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK and stored so you can decide later whether to report to police, depending on local practice and time limits.
Yes, a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK is generally confidential, although staff may have safeguarding duties in certain circumstances, such as if there is a serious risk to you or another person.
Usually you do not need a GP referral for a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK, but some areas may allow or prefer referrals from NHS services, sexual health clinics, or support organisations.
You should seek a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK as soon as you can, but support, medical care, and in some cases evidence options may still be available days or longer after the assault.
For a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK, bring any medication you take, ID if you have it, and a change of clothes if you want, but you can attend even if you have nothing with you.
No, you do not have to make a police statement at a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK if you do not want to, and staff should explain your options clearly.
Yes, a child or young person may be able to have a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK, with age-appropriate safeguarding, consent, and support arrangements depending on the service and their circumstances.
Yes, a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK can often include emergency contraception, sexual health advice, STI testing, and treatment if clinically appropriate.
Many services will try to accommodate preferences for a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK, including clinician gender, but availability may vary by location and time.
No, a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK is normally free of charge through the NHS or local commissioned services.
Yes, you can usually bring a trusted friend, family member, or support person to a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK, although some parts of the appointment may need to be private.
After a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK, you may be offered follow-up medical care, counselling referrals, advocacy, sexual health support, and information about reporting options if you later change your mind.
Yes, you can often change your mind after a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK and choose to speak to police later, especially if evidence was preserved or stored for later review.
If you feel unsafe before a sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK, seek immediate emergency help if needed, contact a trusted person, and tell the SARC or support service about any urgent safety concerns.
You can find a local sexual assault referral centre appointment without police report UK by searching NHS and SARC resources, contacting a sexual violence helpline, or asking a local NHS sexual health service for the nearest centre.
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