Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)
The Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) is located in Perth and provides a range of free services to people in the metropolitan area affected by sexual violence SARC also provide free telephone advice/support to those in non-metropolitan areas and have a 24 Hour Emergency Line.
Services are available to people affected by a recent sexual assault, past sexual assault, current sexual abuse and past sexual abuse.
In Perth, a team of qualified and experienced doctors and counsellors provide care, support and professional services at the main office in Subiaco. There are no restrictions on how long ago the sexual violence occurred.
SARC is part of the Western Australian Department of Health and all services are provided free of charge.
What services does SARC offer?
SARC provides:
If a serious or life-threatening injury has occurred, please go to the emergency department of a hospital or call 000 and request an ambulance.
Who can use SARC services?
SARC services are available to:
- People of all genders
- People 13 years of age and older
- People affected by sexual assault, including rape; and sexual abuse
- Family members and partners of a person who has experienced sexual violence
Depending on individual circumstances, it may not be considered good timing for counselling to take place, and an alternative service will be recommended.
Perpetrators of sexual violence cannot use SARC services, even if they are also a victim of sexual violence.
Contacting SARC
The first step for getting help at SARC is to telephone the service.
A friend, family member, carer or worker may call on behalf of someone else, however, the SARC worker will need to speak to the client over the telephone before an appointment can be offered. This is to ensure that accurate information is gathered and that the client wants to be seen.
Contacting in an Emergency after a Sexual Assault
You can telephone SARC at any time of the day or night following a recent sexual assault.
Tel: (08) 6458 1828
Tel: 1800 199 888 (free call from landlines)
Only available if the sexual assault occurred within the past 2 weeks
Contacting for Crisis Counselling
If you are in crisis emotionally, you can speak to a SARC counsellor over the telephone between 8.30am and 11pm any day of the week.
Tel: (08) 6458 1828
Contacting to Request a Counselling appointment
You need to telephone SARC between 8.30am and 4.30pm to request a counselling appointment.
Tel: (08) 6458 1828
General administration queries and appointment changes/cancellations
Tel: (08) 6458 1820
Who works at SARC?
There are a team of doctors and counsellors who work at SARC.
SARC doctors all hold a degree in medicine and many have post graduate qualifications in forensic medicine.
SARC counsellors all hold a degree in social work, psychology, counselling psychology or clinical psychology.
Everyone who works at SARC has a special interest in supporting people affected by sexual violence and they undertake ongoing skills training in this area. Some clients are worried that their situation and story will be too confronting and unusual for the counsellor. However, our counsellors specialise in this area of work and have heard about the effects of sexual violence from hundreds of clients. They are there to support survivors of sexual violence and help them to recover from their traumatic experiences.