People who have been raped or sexually assaulted are being urged to contact the NHS for free support, with 10 centres available in the North East and Yorkshire.

NHS specialists can help people access counselling or sexual violence support services and medical care such as emergency contraception, with more than 50 sexual assault referral centres in England.

Anyone can call the centres 24 hours a day, seven days a week for an appointment by going to nhs.uk/sarcs and finding their nearest centre, and there is no need to involve the police if they do not wish. These specialist centres can also help with testing and assessment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, if needed.

More than 27,000 people sought support from an NHS sexual assault referral centre last year across England and the health service is encouraging more people to come forward as part of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week (2 to 8 February).

These services are available for everyone, regardless of age, gender identity, and sexuality – everyone can receive the same confidential, specialist support in a place where they will be safe.

The NHS campaign comes as figures show that one in 250 people aged 16 and over experienced rape or attempted rape in the last year, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) in NHS North East and Yorkshire region are located at

• Acer House SARC, North Yorkshire (adult and paediatric); Casa Suite, Humber SARC; Hackenthorpe Lodge, Sheffield SARC; Newcastle Paediatric SARC; SARC Teesside, Cleveland; The Angel Centre, Gateshead; The Bridgeway SARC; The Children’s SARC, Sheffield; The Hazel Hurst Centre, Dewsbury SARC (adult and paediatric); The Meadows, Durham SARC.

To find your nearest SARC visit www.nhs.uk/sarcs

Dave King, Head of Health and Justice at NHS North East and Yorkshire, said: “We strongly encourage anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted to use a sexual assault referral centre (SARC), which provides wrap-around specialist care and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The adult services are accessible by self-referral and individuals do not have to report to the police to get help. These are tried-and-tested services which support men, women and children.

“We are committed to working closely with the region’s Police and Crime Commissioners/Mayoral Authorities, our partners and provider to ensure victims and survivors of sexual violence continue to receive the highest quality support services.”

Kate Davies, Director of Sexual Assault Services Commissioning at NHS England, said: “Our NHS sexual assault referral centres provide specialist care and support to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted at any time in their life.

“I’m urging anyone – girls, boys, women, and men – who has been raped or sexually assaulted to contact the NHS for help by searching nhs.uk/sarcs to find their local centre.

“We know that reaching out to get help can be daunting, but NHS specialists are here for you and will care for you in a place that is safe and confidential  – they will listen to you and help you think about your options and never tell you what to do.”