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Jo Coles - York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime

Jo Coles - North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime

Home - Addressing violence against women and girls - Acer House Victims’ Centre

Acer House Victims’ Centre

Acer House Victims’ Centre provides dedicated, modern facilities to better meet the needs of victims of rape and sexual assault helping to improve their outcomes, both inside and outside the criminal justice system and in their long-term recovery and healing.

About Acer House

Acer House is the new site for the Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre (“SARC”) and Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services (“CSAAS”) in York and North Yorkshire. Victims of rape and sexual assault will receive immediate healthcare and a forensic medical examination if required at the Centre, to collect and document evidence.

The new Centre also has two soundproofed Video-Recorded Interview suites for North Yorkshire Police to take statements from vulnerable victims and witnesses of any crime, including children and young people.

The Centre has been designed in consultation with victims, and intermediaries, to help improve their overall experience. Victims expressed their need for comfort and safety, which the Centre has provided through soft furnishes, toys for children and comfortable, private waiting rooms.

With minimal signage to indicate police presence, the Centre is designed to feel distinct from a hospital or police setting.

Suspects will never be interviewed within the building.

Acer House is situated close to key transport links and major roads to serve people living throughout York and North Yorkshire. The Centre will be used to support victims 24/7 and has been designed to be accessible for those with mobility needs.

Facilities at Acer House

  • Two dedicated forensic medical examination suites providing age-appropriate facilities for the Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services for victims of rape and sexual assault to receive immediate healthcare and a forensic medical examination to collect and document evidence. There is also a non-forensic medical examination room for non-recent cases of child sexual abuse.
  • Two Video-Recorded Interview (“VRI”) suites for North Yorkshire Police to video/record statements from vulnerable victims and witnesses including children and young people.
  • Private car park, with a designated, accessible parking bay.
  • Private outdoor, grassed space, with tables and seating and a designated smoking area.
  • The Centre is fully accessible with lift, and accessible toilet and showers.
  • Four separate and private family waiting rooms for family members or friends accompanying victims and witnesses to use, each with their own facilities.

If you have been a victim and need help

The Sexual Assault Referral Centre services are delivered by Mountain Healthcare Ltd who provide free specialist support and care for all victims of rape or sexual assault aged 16 years and over.

Support is available for everyone, all genders and sexual orientation, regardless of when the incident happened and whether you want to report to the police or not.

The services offer:

  • Immediate triage, advice, and support over the phone
  • Specialist 1 to 1 Crisis Support
  • Forensic Medical Examination if appropriate to collect any forensic evidence
  • Emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections (“STIs”)
  • Onward referrals and/or liaison with other agencies and support services including sexual health, your GP, counselling, or local Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (“ISVA”) service.

The services are available 24/7 including Bank Holidays, however examinations are usually booked for daytime hours (9-5) wherever possible.

Referrals can be made by police officers and other professionals working with victims.

However, victims can also self-refer, without having to talk to the police or make a police report about what happened. If you are not sure about reporting to the police, you can still choose to have a forensic medical examination and the evidence can be safely stored at the Centre, giving you time to decide what to do.

If you do decide to report to the police in the future, this evidence can then be shared with them.

You also have the option of making an ‘anonymous report’ to the police. This information can be shared with the police, without providing your name or any other identifying information. Some people find this helpful.

If you need help, contact Mountain Healthcare Pathway Support Service:

For all service requests including general enquiries, advice, booking an appointment, and referrals (self-referrals and Police/professional referrals) to Acer House, please contact the Mountain Healthcare Pathway Support Service:

What can I expect to happen at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre

Beth talks about what you can expect to happen at the SARC.

The staff do not decide for you or tell you what to do. You will be listened to, and staff can talk to you, about your options.

Take a 360 Panoramic tour of the SARC

These link opens in an external website, provide a 360 view of the rooms and supports Google Cardboard and Gear VR on your mobile phone.

If viewing on a laptop/desktop computer use the mouse to move around the image.

Take a walk through the SARC and the facilities available

Child Sexual Assault Assessment Service

The Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services are delivered by Mountain Healthcare Ltd who provide specialist support and healthcare for all children and young people aged 0 to 16 years who have disclosed sexual abuse or assault, or where it is suspected that it has happened. Older young people up to their 19th birthday may also be seen if they have additional needs or if it is felt to be more clinically appropriate.

The service offers:

  • Immediate professional advice and support over the phone
  • Specialist 1 to 1 Crisis Support
  • Forensic Medical Examination if appropriate to collect any forensic evidence
  • Non-forensic Medical Examination for non-recent incidents
  • Emergency contraception if required and testing for sexually transmitted infections (“STIs”)
  • Onward referrals and/or liaison with other agencies and support services including sexual health, your GP or Paediatrician, counselling, or local Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (“ISVA”) service.

Referrals can only be made by police officers, Social Workers, or health professionals; it is not a self-referral service.

What can I expect to happen at the Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services

Emily talks about what you can expect to happen at the CSAAS.

Take a 360 Panoramic tour of the CSAAS

These links open in an external website, provides a 360 view of the rooms and supports Google Cardboard and Gear VR.

If viewing on a laptop/desktop computer use the mouse to move around the image.

Take a walk through the CSAAS and the facilities available

What can I expect to happen at a video recorded interview

Karl talks about what you can expect to happen at the video recording interview suite.

Family waiting room

Video interview room

Take a walk through the video recording interview suite and the facilities available