They are usually situated in a secure location and employ a multidisciplinary team of practitioners to provide medical, psychological, and practical support to the victim.
[7] In the Northern Territory, there are a number of Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) which provide support, education, and advocacy.
[15] These groups were run by trained volunteers, and provided immediate crisis support as well as ongoing counselling; judicial advocacy work; and help for victims in their dealings with police, doctors, Accident Compensation Corporation, and the Department of Social Welfare.
[21] In the UK, sexual assault referral centres or SARCs exist across the country, funded and run by the National Health Service.
It found that people were mostly positive about sexual assault referral centres and the voluntary sector (few interactions, 1% and 4% respectively, were experienced as harmful).
People reported improvements in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 1 year after accessing SARCs.
[26] The member organisations, such as Northamptonshire Rape Crisis, are typically independent charities staffed by a mix of paid staff and trained volunteers, and are run with the support of or collaboration with local councils, police forces, and corporate sponsors.
However, as of April 2023[update] rape crisis centres across the UK have had to close waiting lists owing to shortage of funds and staff.
[29] The first American rape crisis centers (RCCs) were formed in several states throughout the country in the early 1970s, largely by women associated with the second-wave feminist movement.
The D.C. RCC published a pamphlet entitled "How to Start a Rape Crisis Center", which provided a model for other early RCCs to follow.