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The Sexual Assault Referral Network

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted within the last 7 days you have the right to access Dundee's Sexual Assault Referral Network (SARN).

What is the SARN?
The SARN is a pilot project with WRASAC and NHS Forensic Medical Service that will allow women to be referred for forensic medical examination following a rape or/and sexual assault who do not wish to report the incident to the police at that time. It will mean that if you want to report in the future (within 8 years) that valuable forensic evidence will have been stored.

How do I contact the SARN?
The SARN is contacted through WRASAC between 9am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am- 1pm on a Friday - contact us on (01382) 205556, someone will take your details and may need to call you back, if you get our answering machine please leave your name, number and let us know that you are wanting to use the SARN. Someone will get back to you quickly.

What happens next?
A support worker from WRASAC will then contact the Custody Nurse at West Bell Police Station. Your name and address will not be given to anyone at this point, although the details about what you have experienced will be given to the Custody Nurse you do not have to make a formal complaint to the police at this time.

The Forensic Physician will decide if a medical examination is necessary, if it is a suitable time will be arranged for this to take place. A support worker from WRASAC will accompany you to the Police station for this to happen. A SOLO (Sexual Offences Liaison Officer) will be notified and will be given the forensic samples for storage.

What are the benefits for using the SARN?
Many women are unsure about making a formal complaint after they have been raped or sexually assaulted. You may be feeling scared, upset, to blame, this is a normal response to experiencing a traumatic experience.

Any forensic evidence gathered at this time can be stored for up to 8 years and at any point in that period you can make a formal complaint. Forensic evidence can be crucial in putting together a strong case against the accused.

WRASAC will store, in line with Data Protection, your contact details and record of your contact with the SARN so that at anytime you wish to make a formal complaint to the police then this information can be accessed.

Why is the SARN only open Monday to Friday?
The SARN is a pilot project and none of the agencies involved have additional funding to staff the SARN, we are also involved with the Dundee Violence Against Women Partnership and are looking at the feasibility of securing funding for a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, this would be a dedicated centre to investigate complaints of rape and sexual assault.

Why have a SARN?
WRASAC are committed to improving the response and way in rape and sexual assault are handled and hope that the SARN will help to increase successful convictions in the future.

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted you are not to blame. Please do not hesitate to contact us on (01382) 205556 if you have any questions, or would like to access the SARN

Quick Links - Useful Information
Child sexual Abuse - Rape and/or Sexual Assault - Impact of rape and/or sexual abuse
-Information for family and friends- Information for workers - Flashbacks - Personal Safety - Police and Courts - Possible signs of child sexual abuse - Ritual Abuse - Self-harm -
Sexual Harassment at Work - Suicide -