Department of Health and Social Care written question – answered at on 7 March 2022.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what methodology his Department uses to assess the need for mental health support for women and girls who have been subject to sexual violence; and what steps he is taking to ensure that those services are (a) adequate and (b) easily accessible.
Through NHS England and NHS Improvement, the Department commissions 47 sexual assault referral centres (SARCs), which provide an integrated response to sexual violence and rape across England. These are geographically provided across counties, enabling the whole population to access a SARC service near to where they live.
SARCs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all genders and ages and provide support for both recent and non-recent incidents. Individuals are provided with an holistic assessment, including assessing their mental health and forensic, medical and emotional support interventions can be offered. SARCs are part of wider sexual violence pathways and work in collaboration with other statutory and voluntary sector providers.
NHS England and NHS Improvement are ensuring that funding is available for SARCs to provide enhanced mental health pathways for victims and survivors of sexual assault and abuse who have complex mental health needs. Adequacy of provision is monitored on a regular basis by regional SARC commissioners in partnership with local police and police crime commissioners. Each commissioner will perform regular health needs assessment of its population to ensure the appropriate services are commissioned.
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