| Scottish Government have launched a campaign to increase awareness of SARCS in Scotland last week. |
| SARCS is a dedicated NHS Scotland service offering healthcare and support to people in the days after a rape or sexual assault, even if they aren’t ready or are unsure about reporting to the police. Anyone aged 16 or over can self-refer to SARCS by calling the dedicated 24/7 national telephone service within 7 days of a rape or sexual assault. Across Scotland, SARCS teams provide immediate healthcare and wellbeing support, including forensic medical examinations when appropriate. Forensic evidence can be kept for up to 26 months should someone decide to report to police later. More information is available at www.nhsinform.scot/SARCS The campaign will run across digital channels, social media, partnerships and PR activity. Latest figures show awareness of SARCS in Scotland currently sits at 26% (Scottish Government Polling Data, 2024), so we need your help to grow this and make sure more people know this vital service exists. How You Can Help Please support us by: Sharing campaign content on your social channels Circulating the Stakeholder Toolkit with relevant contacts Displaying and distributing leaflets and posters Re-sharing content from Healthier Scotland Facebook page Stakeholder ToolkitThe SARCS Stakeholder Toolkit includes: Campaign key messages Ready-to-use social posts Social media images and videosPosters (these work best in private, safe spaces like changing rooms and toilets) Leaflets in multiple formats including Easy Read, Large Format, and Audio with Braille options available on request Translations available in Arabic, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Polish, Urdu, Gaelic and BSL All campaign resources can be found via the SG Communications Resource Centre – SARCS Information on Self-Swabbing KitsWe are aware of an organisation promoting the use of self-swabbing kits. In Scotland, only a healthcare professional at a SARCS can collect forensic evidence following a recent rape or sexual assault which could be used in any future investigation. The Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine have also published a position statement on the use of self-swabbing kits. |
Sexual Assault Response Coordination Services (SARCS) Campaign Launch
Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire has signed up to Care Opinion, a website which allows patients to share their stories online.
Care Opinion is an independent, not-for-profit, website that gives patients and carers a way of voicing what they think of the services they receive.
We will listen to positive and negative comments and respond to those in a way that is honest, supportive and constructive.
We will use this feedback to make our services in North Lanarkshire the best they can be.