We are a network of specialist sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) located across London and open 24/7. Our three centres work closely together to ensure that the same level of service is provided wherever a victim of sexual assault presents.
By providing a good, immediate service, we can reduce the risk of long-term problems as well as preventing the loss of evidence, which is crucial if rapists are to be convicted and prevented from committing further assaults.
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Services Offered
We're here to help you if you've been raped or sexually assaulted in the past 12 months.
You can call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for an initial assessment.
When we need to see you urgently, such as for a forensic medical examination (FME), we aim to see you within 90 minutes.
We also offer follow-up care, including counselling, tests and treatments.
Our medical and emotional support services are confidential. That means we won't tell anyone you've contacted us or come to see us unless you want us to. And you can use any of our services without involving the police.
Counselling
Getting emotional support can be very important. Not everyone has the support of family, friends or a partner. Even if you do, you might want to talk to someone else about how you are feeling.
We have counsellors and clinical psychologists you can talk to. They are experienced in working with people who have been assaulted. They will try to help you understand how you are feeling and come to terms with what happened.
You can make an appointment to meet with them and find out what kind of support is best for you. This may mean having weekly counselling or psychology sessions at the Havens. Or they may refer you elsewhere for ongoing support.
Fees and Payment
The service is commissioned and jointly funded by NHS England and the Metropolitan Police Service.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Payment: Pro-bono
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.