SARCS colleagues recognised for their work with survivors of rape and sexual assault
SARCS honoured at Buckingham Palace reception.
Published on 02 May 2024
Colleagues from the Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) and National Services Directorate’s SARCS Strategic Network attended a reception on 1 May 2024 at Buckingham Palace, hosted by Her Majesty The Queen, to mark the re-launch of Her Majesty’s Wash Bags project.
The national Wash Bags project – delivered in collaboration with Boots and In Kind Direct – was set up by Her Majesty to provide essential products to survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
Given to sexual assault victims after they’ve undergone a forensic examination, each wash bag contains personal care items donated by Boots, including shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, a comb, lip salve and a toothbrush. These washbags – which are supplied via SARCS – represent a small gesture of comfort during a highly distressing time for survivors, given that they’re unable to change clothes or wash prior to a forensic medical examination.
Sexual Assault Response Coordination Services (SARCS) is a dedicated NHS service which offers healthcare and support after an assault. The SARCS Network works in partnership to support the delivery of coordinated, holistic, person-centred, trauma-informed healthcare and forensic medical services in Scotland, for people of any age who have experienced rape, sexual assault, or child sexual abuse, including access to health and wellbeing support to aid recovery.
The Wash Bags initiative had to be paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, but dialogue between SARCS, the SARCS Network, Scottish Government’s SARCS Policy Unit and Buckingham Palace, led to it being restarted.
The SARCS Network arranged delivery of washbags across Scotland, and liaised with SARCS across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure their inclusion in the project. 4,330 washbags were delivered to 58 SARCS across the UK in 2023 (including all 16 SARCS in Scotland), with deliveries taking place to each SARCS every six months to ensure a regular supply.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with a SARCS service lead commenting: “I can't put into words how grateful survivors are when given a set. Although a small thing, it’s made a huge impact on the care we deliver for survivors, so thank you again.”
The success of the project across the UK saw all SARCS staff – including the SARCS Network team - being invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace, to recognise their work in supporting survivors of sexual assault and to mark the relaunch of the project. Discussions are now underway with In Kind Direct to expand the scheme in Scotland to also include fresh clothing for survivors.
Andrew Clark, SARCS Network Programme Manager, said: “I’m immensely honoured to represent the SARCS Network team at this reception with Her Majesty The Queen, alongside members of the incredible SARCS workforce who provide the very best care to patients going through an acutely traumatic experience.
“For their phenomenal work to be recognised at this level is a fantastic opportunity to further highlight what NHS boards in Scotland – and across the UK – are doing to support the delivery of person-centred and trauma-informed healthcare and forensic medical services, to aid the recovery of survivors.
“The importance of SARCS for people who are sexually assaulted or raped cannot be underestimated, in particular ensuring that everybody knows how to access them. To find out more about SARCS, please visit NHS Inform or contact the SARCS Network team at NSS.SARCSN@nhs.scot".