Making a Referral

Making a self-referral

If you are wanting to refer yourself into STARS Dorset for our support please fill in our referral form here. If you would prefer to speak to a member of our Referrals Team for support in making your referral or for advice or guidance as to whether we are the right service for you at this time, please call our dedicated referrals line on 01202 308 846. When you have completed your referral form please password protect it and then email it to [email protected], once emailed please call us to tell us the password. If you're unsure how to password protect a word document please follow these easy instructions.

Click the 'File' menu on your document, select the 'Info' tab, and then select the 'Protect Document' button. Click 'Encrypt with Password'. Enter your password then click OK. Remember to call us once sent and encrypted to let us know the password.

Professionals / Agencies referring a client to our service

If you are wanting to refer your client into STARS Dorset for either our Counselling Services or our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service please fill in our online referral form here: Online Referral Form or our paper form here: Word Document Referral Form. If you require advice or guidance as to whether we are the right service for your client, please call our dedicated referrals line on 01202 308 846. For criminal justice partners, for example the police, the SARC and probation please use our secure cjsm email account [email protected] If you do not have a cjsm account then email the referral form to [email protected] but please call our referrals line before you send it so we can ensure that your referral is password protected.

Our Referrals Team will review your referral to identify which is the most appropriate of our specialist services to provide support. Occasionally we may not be the right service at the point of referral, if this is the case we will advise you accordingly and try to signpost you to more appropriate services.

Latest

Police Experience Survey - Operation Bluestone Soteria

Operation Bluestone Soteria is inviting victim-survivors of rape and sexual assault to take part in an anonymous survey about your experience with the police.
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme: the Right to Ask and the Right to Know

Lucy Hale, a detective with Dorset Police, writes about Clare's Law; a tool that helps individuals make informed decisions about continuing a relationship by enquiring about a person's past history of domestic abuse.
Here's How the Story (Never) Ends

Gary Pleece, from the Male Survivors Partnership, writes about the importance of research in transforming support for men and boys affected by sexual violence.
Another hidden cost of disability – lack of support for disabled victims of sexual assault or abuse

Lorraine Stanley, a disabled woman, writes about her personal experience with sexual abuse and how it is a common issue for disabled people. She highlights the CSEW report for 2018-2020 showing that women with disabilities were more likely to experience sexual assault than women without disabilities.

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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jobs

STARS Dorset are looking for an Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and a Volunteer and Community Engagement Officer.
Who we are
Get help
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.