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Series of t-shirts, tote bags and sweatshirts raising awareness around the theme of ‘consent’

STARS Dorset is launching a series of T-Shirts, Tote Bags and Sweatshirts around the theme of ‘Consent’ for Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2022
What happens when you report a sexual assault and what is Dorset Police doing to improve its service.

A blog by Steve Symms, Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RaSSo) Force Champion for Dorset Police on how the police work on a sexual assault case and a link to their Investigation Timeline.
Support for those living with HIV - Body Positive Dorset

1st December is World AIDS Day, and it is a day to remember those that have lost the battle to AIDS complications and to commemorate the people living with or affected by HIV. But what does it mean to be a woman in all of this? A blog by Samantha Dawson Manager of Body Positive Dorset
What we do

STARS Dorset is a pan-Dorset charity that offers one to one support, free of charge, for anyone of any age or gender who lives, works or studies in Dorset and has experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.

How the Brain Works in Response to a Traumatic Event

In this blog by Alison Woodward, Clinical Supervisor at STARS Dorset, we look at How the Brain Works in Response to a Traumatic Event. The 5 Fs, Fight, Flight, Freeze, Flop and Friend.
Why do we victim blame?

In this blog by Ellie Rowe, MSc Investigative Forensic Psychology student at Bournemouth University, we look at Victim Blaming. Victim blaming often involves false beliefs or thoughts that attempt to shift the blame from the perpetrator of the crime to the victim
Locked Up for Killing Your Abuser. Why the Law Does Nothing to Protect Domestic Abuse Victims who Protect Themselves ‘Too Far’.

We currently live in a country with laws which perceive domestic abuse victims as mentally ill or cold-blooded killers for killing their abuser after years of prolonged abuse.
Contact Us

Our contact details, how to get in touch.
Green Flags vs Red Flags

We all know about red flags in relationships. Those little (or big) things that trigger our warning system and get the alarm lights flashing. But how much do you know about green flags?
Counselling Service

STARS Counselling service provides one to one, trauma informed counselling, free of charge, for anyone of any age or gender who lives, works or studies in Dorset and has experienced any form of sexual violence at anytime in their life.
Jobs

STARS Dorset are looking for a Part Time Business Support Assistant for our Dorchester Centre and a Full Time Independent Sexual Violence Advisor for Elder People.
The problematic use of past sexual history as evidence in rape trials

The problematic use of past sexual history as evidence in rape trials by Kez Bhola-Dare, 2ND Year Law Student, Bournemouth University, and Jamie Fletcher, Lecturer in Law, Bournemouth University. Whilst there are a range of sexual assault myths that can influence rape trials, this blog focuses on the myth that a women’s sexual history is an indicator of consent to the act in question.
The lies rape myths tell us and why we have to dispel them

In this blog by Jessica Smythe, MSc Investigative Forensic Psychology, we look at rape myths, the stereotyped and false beliefs about sexual assaults, rapists and rape victims which often serve to excuse sexual violence, create hostility toward victims and can lead to bias in criminal prosecution.
Need support?

If you've been affected by some form of sexual violence at any time in your life STARS Dorset can help. You can access emotional support such as our counselling service or practical support from our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service. Fill in our online referral form and email it through to us or call us on 01202 308 840 and one of our team can talk through what support we can offer you and how you can access it.