New campaign raises awareness of Cornwall's Sexual Assault Referral Centre
£20 million has been funded to offer more support for victims and survivors of sexual assault and abuse
A new campaign has launched to raise awareness of Sexual Assault Referral Centres across the UK in a pledge for more support for victims and survivors of assault and abuse.
It comes as NHS England has announced a £20 million funding boost for sexual assault and domestic violence services over the next three years, including enhanced support services for victims and survivors of sexual assault and abuse who have complex, trauma-related mental health needs.
There are 47 SARCs across England which are being highlighted with the campaign, including Cornwall's SARC which is based at the Willow Centre, a safe location on Truro Health Park.
They offer a range of services to help people who've experienced sexual abuse, including crisis care, medical examinations emergency contraception, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and referrals for mental health support and sexual violence support services.
Dr Sara Kayat is an NHS GP working alongside the campaign. She told us: "A lot of people don't know what the next steps are and are understandably scared and probably feel really lonely and vulnerable. Sometimes where you're in that position you don't know what to do next or where to turn to.
"That's why we really need to make people aware of SARCs because they help you step by step and go in the direction you want to go in without pushing you any which way".
The campaign comes as sexual offence figures have reached a new high, with figures showing a 12% increase in the amount of sexual offences in the year ending September 2021, with rape accounting for 37% of them.
It has been launched today (7th February) at the start of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.
Dr Sara continued: "We know that anyone who is supported through these events will have improved mental health support, will have improved quality of life because holding on to these kinds of experiences without it can be really detrimental.
"I always know that those who are supported tend to work through those experiences better".
A new survey found two in five people aren’t sure or do not know where to get help after being sexually assaulted, with 72% unaware there are NHS specialist sexual assault services who can offer confidential support.
More than half of people who have experienced sexual assault also say they did not seek help afterwards.
The campaign hopes to raise awareness of where people can turn to and how they can feel comfortable to reach out for help.
"We're trying to spread the message as far around as possible about what SARCs are and how to access them.
The statistics really highlights the crucial need to highlight the awareness of these centres and for them to be available 24/7 if they need them".
You can find out information about Cornwall's SARC services here.