Making a Referral

If you are wanting to refer into STARS Dorset for either our Counselling Service or our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service please fill in our referral form here. You can self-refer or ask a professional to refer you in. If you would prefer to make a referral over the phone please call our main office number on 01202 308 840.

Our Adult Counselling Service is currently closed to new referrals until 1st October 2022. Our Children and Young Persons (CYP) Counselling Service is still open to referrals and our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service (ISVA) is still open to both adults and CYPs.

Email your referral form to our cjsm account [email protected] (please note this is a secure email account that only professionals such as the Police have access to). If you do not have a cjsm account then please email your referral form to [email protected] but please call the office before you send it so we can ensure that your referral is password protected.

Latest

Making a Referral
The Consent Tent

The STARS Dorset Consent Tent Team deliver activities designed to promote meaningful conversation around sexual consent. We attend music festivals, student and community events and engage with the public, through games, in a light-hearted and fun way. We want survivors of sexual trauma to know that they are not alone, that there are services available and that we stand with them.
Steps for STARS

As a sibling organisation but one from the NHS, called Steps2Wellbeing, which also offers psychological treatment to victims of trauma we have worked with Helen Stevens and STARS to make pathways and travel towards the best treatment smoother between us for several years.
Now we are really stepping out for STARS.. and into the sky for you!
Skydiving for STARS

My mum works for STARS so I'm aware of all the brilliant work that goes on and would like to support it.

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.
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.
Jobs

STARS Dorset are looking for an Full Time Centre Administrator for our Poole Office.
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.
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.
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.
Counselling Update

STARS Dorset have been successful in winning a contract to allow us to continue our Counselling work for individuals impacted by Sexual Trauma. The Adult Counselling Service needs to move into a period of consolidation and change and we therefore need to put a hold on any new referrals into the Adult Counselling Service. Please be aware that all the other STARS Dorset Services remain open as normal.