Operation Soteria

Baroness Kennedy of Shaws Excerpts

Thursday 13th July 2023 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws (Lab)]

A number of years ago, a very interesting initiative that was put in train was the creation of something called SARCs—sexual assault referral centres. Women could go to these special centres, where they would be examined by doctors and nurses who were specially trained, there would be people who could counsel and it was not about policing at that stage. It allowed young women who had been raped to have the swabs and the forensic evidence taken and put into a place of safety and kept if there was going to be a prosecution. But the women were not forced initially to make a decision—

[A noble Lord]

Question!

[Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws (Lab)]

The question is, and it is an important one: what has happened to those SARCs? How many are there in the country? They seem to have disappeared off the radar, and young women do not even know that they exist.

[Lord Stewart of Dirleton (Con)]

My Lords, I do not have to hand the information that the noble Baroness seeks, but I undertake to write to her. I am aware of the existence of SARCs. They came in and were located within hospitals so that people did not face the daunting prospect of immediate engagement with the criminal justice system but were brought in gradually. I share the noble Baroness’s concern about this matter and, with her leave, will write to her.