Emerald Centre

The Emerald Centre Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) is committed to providing a non-judgmental caring and sensitive service, which meets the needs of victims of rape and sexual assault. We have developed strong partnerships working between health services, police and a huge range of support services to provide a comprehensive approach to the needs of victims of sexual violence.

The Emerald Centre is a dedicated centre providing an extensive service to men and women aged 13 years and over who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

We offer a safe and welcoming service, which focuses on individual needs.

If the sexual assault occurred within the last 7 days, you may be offered a forensic medical examination. The medical examination will only take place with your consent and the process will be fully explained to you by one of the staff members at the Emerald Centre - the Crisis Worker. The crisis worker will be able to stay with you for the entire process so you never have to face anything alone and will help answer any questions you may have.

The examination will take place at the Emerald Centre in a room that looks just like a room in a GP’s surgery. During the examination your privacy and dignity will be protected. the Emerald Centre offers a medical examination in order to assess your medical needs and also to collect DNA evidence to assist the police investigation. In the future when we are able to take non-police referrals any medical evidence collected can be stored until a later date. Some people may want to make a complaint to the police and some will not want to talk to the police at all. This will be your choice and either choice is respected.

Should you have any questions about the SARC, the role of the crisis worker or the medical examination, please see our FAQs page, or contact us.