Professionals
This page is for professionals working within agencies such as police, health and social care, local authorities and the public sector who may wish to refer adults to the SARC or familiarize themselves with our services.
If you would like further information or training from our SARC, please get in touch by calling 0330 223 0099 or emailing us at angelcentre.sarc@nhs.net (email is monitored from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to Friday).
Our service supports adults aged 16 years or older. The service is available 24/7, every day of the year by appointment only.
Our nurses are available to answer any queries you or your client may have about the SARC service, referral pathways and options around reporting to the Police. Call us on 0330 223 0099.
If they are under 16, please contact the Children and Young People’s Clinic at the Great North Children’s Hospital
Our service
Our comprehensive range of services includes:
- Immediate over-the-phone rape and sexual assault support and signposting to specialist services
- In-person rape or sexual assault crisis support and healthcare including access to medicine
- Forensic medical examinations
- Holistic examinations and care for non-recent cases
- Collection and storage of forensic samples
- Referrals to specialist counselling and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) support
- Follow-up calls after an appointment
Medical examinations
Medical examinations are conducted by our highly skilled and compassionate sexual offence examiners.
Depending on when the incident happened, clients may be offered the option to have a forensic medical examination that includes checking for any physical injuries and collecting forensic samples. If an examination is something they are considering, it is best to contact us as soon as possible.
We offer to collect forensic samples even if a client does not want to involve the Police at the time. This gives clients the option to have forensic evidence if they choose to report the incident at a later date. In this instance all samples will be stored at our SARC for 2 years.
During the examination the nurse and crisis worker will regularly check in with the client to make sure they are ok and want to continue. Clients are in control and can have a break or stop the examination at any point.
After the examination clients have the option of having a shower at the centre and we provide a care bag which has items such as shampoo and a toothbrush. We also provide clothing to change into if a client’s clothing has been taken as evidence.
After an appointment
After an appointment, professionals and clients can contact us at any time to ask question or to get further help and support.
With their permission, one of our nurses will call the client six weeks after their appointment to check in and make sure they have been contacted by the referral services recommended for them.
Get in contact
with us
Professional
Referrals
All referrals from Police and professionals should be made by telephone:
0330 223 0099
Useful
Resources
Visit our Resources page to find our leaflet and information on other helpful services.
