TY - JOUR T1 - What can GPs do for adult patients disclosing recent sexual violence? JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 42 LP - 44 DO - 10.3399/bjgp15X683305 VL - 65 IS - 630 AU - Kieran M Kennedy AU - Catherine White Y1 - 2015/01/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/65/630/42.abstract N2 - Sexual violence has a life-time prevalence of 20–25% so it follows that GPs will encounter patients who have experienced sexual violence. While international best practice is for such patients to be managed at specialist Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs),1–4 of which there are more than 30 in the UK alone, GPs have several important roles to play: GPs need to have a high index of suspicion for sexual violence because research has repeatedly demonstrated that most patients never disclose their experiences to doctors;GPs need to be able to advise patients with regard to their decision to attend a SARC or not;patients choosing to attend a SARC will need to be advised on what to do, and not to do, while awaiting appointments;regarding patients who do not want to attend a SARC, or where access to a SARC is not feasible, GPs need to respond to the health and forensic needs of patients, in so far as possible;GPs need to have a good understanding of safeguarding issues (children and vulnerable adults) and their responsibilities within these processes; andGPs are frequently involved in long-term follow-up of such patients.Patients who have experienced sexual violence frequently feel loss of control over their lives. Restoring patient autonomy and a sense of self-determination should be the overriding approach to consultations. In our experience, an open mind and non-judgemental attitude, on the part of the doctor, facilitates disclosure. When providing advice, it is useful to use phrases such as ‘let me explain the choices you have’, ‘you can decide what you think is best for you’, and ‘you can stop this consultation at any time if you wish’.SARCs offer a range of services to patients, including forensic medical examination (that is, attending to patients’ immediate medical needs, … ER -