If you have recently experienced sexual violence, you can access a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for specialist medical, practical and emotional support.
SARCs are NHS services that provide confidential care whether or not you choose to report the incident to the police.
If you decide to report the incident to the police, they may arrange for you to attend a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). However, you can also refer yourself directly to a SARC without reporting to the police or informing the university.
The local service is Beech House Kent and Medway Sexual Assault Referral Centre. You will need to make an appointment prior to attending, as a walk-in service is not available. The Beech House telephone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round. Call 0330 2230099.
If the incident happened recently and you are able to attend, it is recommended that you contact the SARC as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours. This may help preserve forensic evidence if you decide you would like a forensic medical examination.
However, you can still access support and medical care regardless of when the incident occurred.
A SARC can provide:
- immediate emotional and practical support
- medical care and treatment, including advice about sexual health.
- a forensic medical examination, if you choose
- referrals for counselling and ongoing support
- referrals to an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA)
- information about your reporting options, including the police
A forensic medical examination is entirely your choice and will only take place with your informed consent. It can take up to three hours, Depending on your circumstances, it can take up to three hours. Specialist staff will explain every step before anything happens, and you can stop at any time.
You can self-refer to Beech House Kent and Medway Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (SARC).
If you attend Beech House SARC through a self-referral, you can request a specialist member of University staff accompany you if you would find this helpful. The University can also cover reasonable travel costs.
If you attend the SARC via self-referral, and forensic evidence is collected, the SARC can securely store it for up to two years. This gives you time to decide whether you want to report the incident to the police at a later date.
You do not have to have a forensic medical examination to access support. You can talk to the specialist staff about what has happened, discuss your options, and then decide what support feels right for you.
For information about appointments, and what to expect, visit Beech House website here.
You do not need to decide immediately whether you want to report to the police. Accessing a SARC does not commit you to making a police report, and specialist staff will support you whatever you decide.
Specialist organisations across the sexual violence sector have raised concerns about the promotion of sexual violence self-swab kits, sometimes referred to as "rape kits". These kits are being marketed as a way for survivors to collect evidence following rape or sexual assault.
However, specialist organisations that support survivors have raised concerns about their use, and the Royal College of Physicians has advised that they should not be used as an alternative to accessing specialist support and services. This position is shared by the National Police Chief’s Council that warned against the use of self‑swabbing kits in unregulated environments.
If in doubt, you can contact the Specialist Wellbeing Team for advice.
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