- The Queen, 77, visited the site in the south west of England
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Queen Camilla praised the work of Sexual Assault Referral Centres around the country today saying: ‘It’s devastating that we need you, but thank goodness for the work you do.’
As she toured a new SARC in Exeter, she also expressed her shock at learning that it dealt with patients ranging from newborn babies to women in their 90s.
‘It’s beyond belief. I am so glad they have people like you to help them,’ she said.
Her Majesty was continuing her mission to support victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence as part of national Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.
She toured the new Exeter SARC’s facilities, which include Forensic Medical Examination (FME) suites and clinical rooms, and met staff who provide critical forensic and therapeutic care to service users.
She also met privately with a member of public who has had to use the services of the SARC in the past.
The Exeter centre deals with around 1,300 adult referrals a year, of which 347 attended for a forensic examination, and 1,500 children under the age of 18, of which 235 needed examination by paediatric nurses.
The Queen, wearing a smart belted green coat and a a bee brooch, was first given a briefing about the work it does before being taken on a tour of the facilities, starting with the paediatric room, which was filled with toys to make it more comfortable for victims.
Queen Camilla (pictured) toured a new Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Exeter today as part of the national Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2025
‘It’s a nice area,’ she said.
Dr Hannah Law, one of the paediatric doctors, explained how she encourages the children to play as she talks to them and their parents.
‘You try and get their stories out of them,’ nodded Camilla.
‘It’s unfortunate but it’s needed. There are so many children… thank goodness you are here, that’s all I can say.’
She was then shown the forensic examination room which had a brightly-coloured fish mural on the wall to encourage them to feel more relaxed and distracted.
‘It’s quite unnerving [for them],’ the queen remarked sympathetically.
She was shown toys that the children are encouraged to play with and hold in front of the medical camera so that there is less to be scared of.
‘I didn’t realise you had clients right up to their 18th birthdays. I think you are all incredible. What would happen without these places? Where would these children go? Unfortunately you are very necessary. ‘
The royal, 77, visited CoLab Exeter, a multi-agency health and wellbeing hub that brings together organisations working across sectors including learning, mental health, housing and homelessness services in Exeter
The Queen comforted a woman named Sarah (left) who makes use of the organisation's services
Camilla was wearing a smart green coat that belted at the waist and was accessorised with a bee brooch for the outing
The royal made her way out of the new, purpose-built SARC in Exeter after unveiling a gold plaque
Her Majesty was then shown the adult interview and forensic areas by nurse Hollie Warren, who explained there was a lake mural to try and make the area feel less clinical.
‘You try to make it feel more relaxing,’ Camilla said.
‘They’ve made it here, they need your help. They can just sit down and talk. They are safely in your hands. ‘
‘Yes, they have made a brave decision to come here,’ Hollie agreed.
Clients are talked through the forensic process and can decide what samples they wish to take to enable them to make decisions about any future criminal proceedings. They are also offered STI tests and counselling.
‘We try to keep things moving and make the process as quick and easy for them as possible,’ Hollie added.
In 2013 the Queen devised an initiative to hand out wash bags of toiletries, such as shampoo, shower gel and toothpaste, to sexual assault service users for use after forensic examination as a gesture of comfort at one of the most distressing times in their life.
The service has been running nationwide since 2017 with the help of Boots and the charity In Kind Direct, with 50,000 being handed out so far.
The Queen is dedicated to supporting victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence
During the opening of the new SARC in Exeter, Queen Camilla was shown a child's examination room by pediatric doctor Hannah Law (left)
Camilla appeared eager to hear about the different services offered by the new SARC centre
She viewed a playroom for children but was shocked to learn that the centre dealt with patients ranging from newborn babies to people in their nineties
Camilla was shown some of the washbags being given out to clients in Exeter.
‘It’s something after an experience that is so traumatic,’ the queen said.
Nurse Hollie told her: ‘As a nurse for ten years I have seen such a difference the wash bags make. The feedback I have is excellent. It makes a real difference . People come out of the shower and tell me the real impact they have had and how it makes them feel.’
The Queen added: ‘It’s a shame they are so needed. But it’s just something. It wouldn’t have happened without Boots and In Kind Direct. So thank you.
‘I get a lot of letters about them. It’s lovely. Saying it made a huge difference. From survivors or sometimes from parents saying what it difference it made to their child. It’s not an easy thing to put in place at the beginning but now it is, it’s running smoothly.’
Before she left the Queen chatted to staff and unveiled a plaque to mark her visit. She was told that her visit had given everyone the recognition they deserved.
‘Everyone is so completely committed to what they are doing. I am sorry SARCS are needed to but they are very much needed more and more over the country. I don’t think enough people know about them,’ she said.
‘The incredible work you do here shouldn’t go unrecognised. You do it in a quiet humble way. I don’t think you realise the difference you make to these people’s lives.
Queen Camilla appeared proud to be unveiling a plaque to mark the opening of the new centre in Exeter
Queen Camilla met Candice Smith (left), Head of Environmental, Social and Governance, at Boots during the opening
The Queen met with a number of different people involved in the opening of the new SARC in Exeter
Lindsay Howell, general manager of Exeter SARCS, explained that the centre dealt with referrals from incident of up to around ten days, with clients offered forensic examination, checked for injuries, screening for STIs, and offered medication. However they were also able to help clients outside of the forensics timescale for examination, and also offer therapy services for children.
‘We have had people in their 90s and babies who are newborn. We are an all age SARC,’ she said.
She said they had seen a large rise in cases because work to raise the awareness of SARCS and what they can offer had been massively raised.
Clients came come without having to report their case to the police.
‘They can choose to do so but there is no expectation,’ she said.
‘We work for them. Some people want emergency medication but not the medical yet. Some people might want access to therapy. We are just there to support them in whichever way they feel comfortable. It could be wiuth the police or it could be just for comfort and counselling.
‘Having the Queen visit is hugely exciting for us. We knew she was a big supporter of these kind if services and reached out to her directly.
Queen Camilla has made supporting victims and survivors of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence as one of the cornerstones of her public work.
Sexual violence and domestic abuse is a cause that is close to the Queen's heart and one that she has campaigned for in recent years
The queen appeared delighted to meet with various staff members who are involved in the day to day running of the centre
She first visited Croydon Rape and Sexual Assault Support Centre in 2009, going on to become patron of a number of women’s charities in the field and visiting organisations and centres around the world.
Her Majesty has vowed to campaign on the issue of violence against women and girls for the rest of her life.
The Devon & Cornwall SARC was opened in October 2024 and is one of the first new purpose-built centres developed specifically to meet new stringent UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) standards for SARC forensic services.
The Exeter centre offers both adult and children services, including therapy, and is a centre of excellence for paediatric care.
It provides high-quality Forensic Medical Examination suites to gather forensic
evidence that would support any investigation into the assault and future prosecution.
She also listened to a presentation about the services offered at the new centre
The completely self-contained suites feature state-of-the-art air flow units, similar to those seen in acute hospital surgical theatres, and separate changing areas for SARC staff and individuals to ensure quality and confidence in forensic evidence collected.
The UK’s Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2025 runs from February 3-9, raising awareness of SARCs and encouraging victims and survivors to seek help.
