More help needed for sex assault victims: MSP

Victims of rape and sexual assault in Scotland are being denied the same level of access to specialised support services as those in the rest of the UK, a Scottish Conservative MSP has said.

Scotland has one Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) while south of the border there are 43.

The Sandyford Archway clinic in Glasgow provides support and counselling, forensic examination and sample storage, and onward referral to other agencies.

Sexual assault and rape victims elsewhere in Scotland can also choose the gender of their medical examiner but a lack of trained staff in some areas means their preferred option may not be available.

Scottish Conservative equalities spokeswoman Annie Wells called for more SARCs to be set up across Scotland, saying: “When Scotland’s solitary SARC was set-up, it was hailed by the Scottish Government as a flagship, and many expected more to follow.

“But almost a decade on it is still the only one in the country, whereas there are 43 across England, all within two hours of each other. It is very concerning that those who don’t live in the Glasgow vicinity can’t access facilities like these.”