STARS Dorset Christmas and New Year Opening Times 2023

STARS Dorset will be closed from 4pm on Friday 22nd December until 9am Tuesday 2nd January 2024. During this time staff will not be available and neither will our volunteers so our Support Line will be closed.

For those wanting support to follow are a list of services available throughout the holiday period.

If you are in immediate danger please call the police on 999.

For telephone or text support please contact the following:

Samaritans: Telephone: 116 123 Website: www.samaritans.org

Connection – Dorset’s 24 hour mental health helpline Telephone: 0800 652 0190

24 hr National Domestic Abuse Helpline Telephone: 0800 2000 247 Website: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

Childline Telephone: 0800 1111 Website: www.childline.org.uk

Shout (Text Support) Text: 85258 Website: www.giveusashout.org

The Shores - Sexual Assault Referral Clinic (Dorset) Telephone: 0800 970 9954 Website: www.the-shores.org.uk

If you are struggling with symptoms from your trauma such as Nightmares, Flashbacks, Panic Attacks or Sleep Disturbance please click on the relevant symptom from our self-help resources pages.

Latest

Sexual Violence Awareness Week - in the Bournemouth Echo

STARS organized various events during Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week to improve access to support and education. Read about it in the Bournemouth Echo.
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Knit a trauma teddy to support our work.
Our trustees
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.

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?
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.
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.
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 a part time fundraising assistant.
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.
Get help