Help after rape or sexual assault
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You can get help and support from the NHS Scotland Sexual Assault Response Co-ordination Service (SARCS) if you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted.
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.
If you have recently been raped or sexually assaulted, it’s understandable if you don’t know what to do or where to turn.
What options are available?
Police report
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can report it to the police:
- for an emergency situation dial 999 - what is an emergency?
- for non-emergencies dial 101
- available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- see Police Scotland help for victims of sexual crime
SARCS sexual assault self-referral phone service
If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, you can self-refer to SARCS - contact the sexual assault self-referral phone service:
- phone 0800 148 88 88
- available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- calls are free from landlines and mobiles
This means you don’t need a GP or other healthcare professional to refer you - you can do this yourself.
The phone service can refer you to a local healthcare professional at SARCS. Once you complete your self-referral, they will phone you back to discuss and arrange your care.
You may be able to have a forensic medical examination at SARCS without making a report to the police.
Important: Help after rape or sexual assault - further information at NHS inform
- Help after rape or sexual assault
- including videos about the sexual assault self-referral phone service
- If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted in the last 7 days
- If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted more than 7 days ago
- If you’re under 16 and have been raped or sexually assaulted
- Further support if you've been raped or sexually assaulted
More advice and support resources
Scottish Women's Aid - working towards the prevention of domestic abuse - including a 24-hour domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline and chat.
Rape Crisis Scotland - working to end sexual violence - including a telephone helpline.
Rape And Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH) - an independent charity based in Inverness - listening, believing and supporting survivors of sexual violence throughout the Highlands.
Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis - helping survivors to move forward and take control of their lives.
Abused Men In Scotland (AMIS) - Scotland’s leading charity for men who experience domestic abuse, operating a national helpline, website and training services.