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Written question asked by Jess Phillips (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 March 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 22 March 2024 (named day). It was answered by Maria Caulfield (Conservative) on Thursday, 28 March 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Sexual Assault Referral Centres

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS England has completed its review of service provision of June 2022 to determine whether forensic and medical interventions for non-fatal strangulation which occur in domestic abuse should form part of the core offer for sexual assault referral centres or should be cared for elsewhere.

Answer

The National Sexual Assault Referral Centre’s (SARC) Service Specification, as reviewed and updated in June 2023, now reflects the offence of non-fatal strangulation (NFS). The specification states: Appropriate medical and forensic interventional support is provided to all service users presenting with sexual assault and/or sexual abuse where the presenting need also indicates non-fatal strangulation. It is widely acknowledged that many victims of sexual assault will have also experienced domestic abuse.

For cases of non-fatal strangulation not associated with sexual assault, victims’ immediate healthcare needs can be treated in other acute healthcare settings such as emergency departments. The Institute for Addressing Strangulation recently published guidelines for clinical management of non-fatal strangulation in acute and emergency care services.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
19379
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Domestic abuse Sexual assault referral centres
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk