Written question asked by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 23 May 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 June 2007. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 June 2007 on behalf of the Home Office.

Sexual Offences: Young People

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on services for children and young people within sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many SARCs provide (a) services for children and young people and (b) child-centred therapeutic counselling and support.

Answer: [holding answer 4 June 2007]: As sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) are primarily funded locally, we do not collect information centrally on the amount each centre spends on services for children.Each of the 16 SARCs currently operating provide services for people below the age of 18 with lower age limits ranging from 0 to 16. Paediatric cases are seen at nine of these centres, while a further two centres have close links with separate but dedicated child sexual abuse services.SARCs should be contacted direct for details of child-centred therapeutic counselling and support services. Contact information can be found on the Home Office website.

Secondary information