Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2019 to Question 259358 on Medical Examinations: Sexual Offences, how many Sexual Assault Referral Centres there are in England; and whether those centres offer a forensic medical examination to victims of sexual assault in cases where that victim does not wish to report that assault to the police.

There are 47 sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) in England. At the SARC, there is an offer of a forensic medical examination, if clinically appropriate to do so, available to all clients. If victims have not decided whether to involve the police, any forensic medical evidence collected will be stored at the SARC to allow the victim time to decide if they do want to report the assault.