Help available for victims of sexual abuse

With an increased focus on sexual assault and abuse in the military, Walking With The Wounded is keen to be a supportive member of the community by sharing information regarding a dedicated service run by our friends in the NHS.

The service is there to support you and, where appropriate, can help you access specialist services if you have been sexually assaulted or abused at any time in your life.

If you feel unable to talk directly to the NHS team and need help relating to sexual assault and abuse, you can contact a sexual assault referral centre – often referred to as a SARC. SARCs provide free, specialist care and support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused, at any time in their life. This includes the Armed Forces community, whether they are still serving, a veteran or a family member.

You can contact a SARC 24/7 to book an appointment and do not have to involve the police if you don’t want to. If preferred, you can also remain anonymous at a SARC. The SARC team will help you get the support you choose and never tell you what to do. They will care for you in a place that is private, where there will not be other patients and where you will be safe.

To find out more about SARCs and where your local service is, you can visit the SARCs website.