Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service

Our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service is free and confidential. It provides practical and emotional support, information and guidance to anyone who lives, works or studies in Dorset and has experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their life.

An ISVA is there to help the client make an informed decision when everything can feel confusing and out of control. We understand there can be a lot to deal with and our ISVA team is here to accompany, support and guide clients.

Our ISVAs are person centred and client led and will tailor support to individual needs, provide impartial information, ensure the safety of the survivor and any dependents, attend meetings and we can also help develop a support plan with the client to address risks and identify support that is needed.

Our Independent Sexual Violence Advisors can explain options and help clients make an informed decision as to whether they want to report to the police. If the client does not want to report our ISVA team will continue to support the client. If the client does decide to report they will support the client throughout the whole process, for example: during their witness statement, liaising with the police on their behalf, keeping the client informed about case progress and providing support before, during and after court.

Our ISVAs can also help clients make informed decisions about options and access support from other agencies, such as:

The Shores, Dorset's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
Social Services
Counselling
Mental Health Services
Sexual Health Services
Housing Providers
Benefits
Drugs and Alcohol Services
Probation
Or any other agencies the client is working with or may need to work with

To make a referral or to find out more information about our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service please either call 01202 308858 or email [email protected].

All our Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) have a recognised ISVA qualification, The Survivors Trust ISVA Practitioner Course or are working towards it under the supervision of the lead ISVA. If you would like to see any specific staff training certificates please email [email protected] with your request.

If you would like to provide feedback please feel free to fill in one of our ISVA Feedback Forms here.

Click here to read a blog from one of our ISVAs about her role at STARS.

Latest

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.