§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sexual assault referral centre pilots there are; what assessment has been made of them; if he will make a statement on the new round of bids for support for such centres; and whether existing pilot sites can apply for expansion.[141197]
§ Paul GogginsThe Government are aware of seven existing sexual assault referral centres (SARCs). These are not pilot schemes; but are local initiatives that have been established jointly by the police and local health organisations.
The Home Office has funded research to establish the effectiveness of SARCs by evaluating three existing centres. Research findings will be available in spring of next year
The Home Office recently made funds available from the crime reduction programme to support the development of sexual assault referral centres. In September, police forces were invited to bid for this funding
Funding was prioritised for the establishment of new SARCs, however forces with existing SARCs were also eligible to apply
420WBids were received from 18 police forces. Successful police forces have been notified
Allocations will be announced in the near future.