At the end of a hospital bed a child's gown decorated with ducks and rubber rings is neatly folded. Next door, a fish tank gently bubbles, fish slowly gliding.
Sofas and chairs covered with fluffy cushions and blankets give way to tables lined with children's toys and books. This children's examination suite only exists for the grimmest of circumstances - but every effort has been made to lighten the surroundings.
For nearly 40 years, St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Manchester has been leading the way in supporting men, women, and children who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
Of the 40 SARCs in the country St Mary’s is the oldest and busiest, known as a hub for world-leading treatment and research into sexual assault and the trauma that comes with it. READ MORE: He was the Dark Angel who dodged so many bullets.
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