Analytics and intelligence for people who access SARCS
2026
A Management Information Statistics publication for Scotland
- Published
- 26 May 2026 (Latest release)
- Type
- Statistical report
- Author
- Public Health Scotland
About this release
This is the fourth annual report from Public Health Scotland (PHS) on the operation of the Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Act 2021, which commenced on 1 April 2022. The FMS Act places a statutory duty on PHS to produce an annual statistical report on the operation of the Act by the end of May each year.
This fourth report provides new figures for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Background
This fourth annual report is limited, because data is not yet available from the national FMS IT system. This report therefore provides only a high-level narrative on progress with the operation of the Act and high-level estimates of activity from SARCS Network monitoring information, as well as national figures from NHS 24 and NHS Inform.
SARCS Network data includes outputs for adults (aged 16 and older) as well as children and young people, highlighting annual totals for referrals and examinations from the year 2022/23 to 2025/26.
NHS inform data presents annual estimates of web page views of 'Turn to SARCS' which provides information on how individuals can get help and support from the NHS Scotland sexual assault response co-ordination service, and NHS24 data presents annual breakdowns regarding calls made to the dedicated NHS 24 self-referral telephone service.
Further Information
The next release of this publication will be 25 May 2027.
General enquiries
If you have an enquiry relating to this publication, please contact Andrew Murray at phs.mentalhealthanalytics@phs.scot.
Media enquiries
If you have a media enquiry relating to this publication, please contact the Communications and Engagement team.
Requesting other formats and reporting issues
If you require publications or documents in other formats, please email phs.otherformats@phs.scot.
To report any issues with a publication, please email phs.generalpublications@phs.scot.
Older versions of this publication
Versions of this publication released before 16 March 2020 may be found on the Data and Intelligence, Health Protection Scotland or Improving Health websites.