Establish a SARC on the Isle of Wight
The Issue
In 2016, I accepted what I believed was a cleaning job on the Isle of Wight. Instead, I was brutally raped after being lured there under a false identity. Because there was no Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) on the island, I had to travel to the mainland while injured and traumatised to receive specialist care. Nearly ten years later, survivors are still facing the same ordeal. I'm sharing my story because no one should have to leave the Isle of Wight after experiencing sexual violence.
The Isle of Wight lacks a crucial facility to support survivors of sexual violence – a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). SARCs provide an essential service by offering medical, practical, and emotional support to anyone who has been sexually assaulted. With no SARC on the Isle of Wight, survivors are forced to travel significant distances, often while traumatised and injured, to access these critical services on the mainland.
The current situation not only exacerbates the trauma experienced by survivors but also serves as a deterrent to those who may wish to seek care and justice. It is imperative that every individual, irrespective of their geographic location, has immediate access to the specialist care and support they crucially need during such a vulnerable time.
Establishing a SARC on the Isle of Wight is not just a convenience—it is a necessity. According to the Office for National Statistics, it is estimated that approximately 618,000 women and 155,000 men aged 16 to 59 experience sexual assault in the UK each year. This makes the need for accessible services on the Isle of Wight even more urgent.
In addition to providing immediate care, SARCs play a vital role in the next steps survivors may choose to take, such as reporting the crime or receiving counselling. A local SARC would ensure that people on the Isle of Wight receive the comprehensive and compassionate care they desperately need without the added burden of travel.
We urge the local authorities and healthcare providers to prioritize the establishment of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre on the Isle of Wight. Together, we can support survivors by providing them with the resources and dignity they deserve.
Please sign this petition to call for action and ensure no survivor has to suffer through unnecessary hardship in seeking help after a sexual assault.
299
The Issue
In 2016, I accepted what I believed was a cleaning job on the Isle of Wight. Instead, I was brutally raped after being lured there under a false identity. Because there was no Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) on the island, I had to travel to the mainland while injured and traumatised to receive specialist care. Nearly ten years later, survivors are still facing the same ordeal. I'm sharing my story because no one should have to leave the Isle of Wight after experiencing sexual violence.
The Isle of Wight lacks a crucial facility to support survivors of sexual violence – a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). SARCs provide an essential service by offering medical, practical, and emotional support to anyone who has been sexually assaulted. With no SARC on the Isle of Wight, survivors are forced to travel significant distances, often while traumatised and injured, to access these critical services on the mainland.
The current situation not only exacerbates the trauma experienced by survivors but also serves as a deterrent to those who may wish to seek care and justice. It is imperative that every individual, irrespective of their geographic location, has immediate access to the specialist care and support they crucially need during such a vulnerable time.
Establishing a SARC on the Isle of Wight is not just a convenience—it is a necessity. According to the Office for National Statistics, it is estimated that approximately 618,000 women and 155,000 men aged 16 to 59 experience sexual assault in the UK each year. This makes the need for accessible services on the Isle of Wight even more urgent.
In addition to providing immediate care, SARCs play a vital role in the next steps survivors may choose to take, such as reporting the crime or receiving counselling. A local SARC would ensure that people on the Isle of Wight receive the comprehensive and compassionate care they desperately need without the added burden of travel.
We urge the local authorities and healthcare providers to prioritize the establishment of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre on the Isle of Wight. Together, we can support survivors by providing them with the resources and dignity they deserve.
Please sign this petition to call for action and ensure no survivor has to suffer through unnecessary hardship in seeking help after a sexual assault.
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 29 July 2026