A lot of victims will feel like they are really on their own... we're here to help them recover

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.

The M.E.N. was granted exclusive access inside this extraordinary facility. Usually, only those who have experienced the unthinkable would Sair ever see the inside. We spoke to the people whose lives have been transformed here - and the staff who have helped them.

Each day starts with the complex process of triaging patients often racing against time to capture vital DNA samples and administer life-saving treatment.

"Very often we have too many cases on the logs to see them all in one day," Dr Lentre SARC) Michelle Carroll, who heads up the centre as joint clinical director, explained. "So whilst we are very mindful of the fact that when somebody has been sexually assaulted they want to be examined as soon as possible, sometimes there are competing priorities." Often the most urgent cases are those considered 'high-risk' for HIV, for which potentially life-saving treatment must be administered within 72 hours.

Equally, for those who have been assaulted within the past 10 days, the team must take into account the risk of any DNA samples which can provide crucial evidence in any future court case - deteriorating over time.

"We know clients might be waiting to wash until they've had that forensic examination," Dr Carroll said.