Violence against Women and Girls Strategic Partnership in South Lanarkshire

If you have recently been raped or sexually assaulted, it’s understandable if you don’t know what to do or where to turn.

SARCS is a dedicated NHS service which can offer healthcare and support in the days after an assault, if you are not ready to tell the police or are unsure.

What options are available to me?

Police report

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can report it to the police at any time. In an emergency situation, call 999, for non-emergencies call 101 or visit Police Scotland.

Self-referral to a SARCS

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted within the last 7 days and do not want to tell the police or are unsure about telling them now, you can self-refer to a SARCS. This means you don’t need a GP or other healthcare professional to refer you to a SARCS – you can do this yourself.

The service may be able to arrange a forensic medical examination (FME) at SARCS without making a report to the police.

You can phone a dedicated NHS telephone number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and speak to a specially trained healthcare professional who can help to arrange the care you might need.

You can find more information about how to self-refer to a SARCS on the NHS Inform website or by calling 0800 148 88 88.

Specialist support services

These services are free and confidential. You can contact them directly.

Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre provides trauma-informed support for women, men and young people

Helpline: 01698 527003

Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline
Phone: 0808 01 03 02
Available daily for confidential emotional support.

Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
Phone: 08088 0101 789
Legal advice and advocacy for women affected by violence.

Victim Support
Phone: 01698 30 11 11
Practical and emotional support for anyone affected by crime.