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What is the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV)?

The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) is a free, fast, emergency injunction service for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence. Our service allows anyone who has recently been threatened or subjected to domestic abuse to apply for an emergency court injunction.
Victoria's Half Marathon

I volunteer for STARS-Dorset and believe the work we do to be vital to people's recovery.
School Workshops

The impact of sexual violence on both individuals and the school community can be substantial. Education is key to prevention. We want our educational establishments to be safe spaces where young people feel that there is a zero-tolerance policy on sexual violence. STARS Dorset currently offers the following school workshops to any Dorset based school.
Sky Divers raise £12,860 for STARS

Eighteen sky divers took to the skies at Go Sky Dive in Salisbury on Friday 23rd July and have raised a whopping £12,860 for us! We are so grateful!

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
Contact Us

Our contact details, how to get in touch.
Jobs

Latest job opportunities at STARS Dorset.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meet the team
Grounding Techniques

Grounding techniques are designed to help you be ‘grounded’ in the here and now – not thinking about the past or being overwhelmed by your thoughts or feelings.