Other sources of help

The Shores is Dorset's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and is contactable 24 hours a day.
Telephone: 01202 552056
Website: www.the-shores.org.uk

The Samaritans provide a 24 hour telephone service and are there to help with whatever you might be going through.
Telephone: 116 123
Website: www.samaritans.org

Childline is available to anyone under the age of 19 and there to listen anytime, day or night.
Telephone: 0800 123
Website: www.childline.org.uk

Survivors UK supports male rape and sexual abuse survivors. They have a web chat support service which is open Monday - Friday 10.30am - 9pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6pm.
Website: www.survivorsuk.org

The Survivors Trust supports all survivors of rape and sexual abuse. They have a helpline service which is open, Mon - Fri 10am-8:30pm
Sat 10am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-4:30pm, 6pm-8:30pm
Sun 1:30pm-4:30pm, 6pm-8:30pm.
Telephone: 08088 010818
Website: www.thesurvivorstrust.org

Galop gives advice and support to people who have experienced biphobia, homophobia, transphobia, sexual violence or domestic abuse. Their LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline number is 0800 999 5428.

Website: www.galop.org.uk

Latest

Narcissistic Injuries, Neglect & Relational Trauma - Trauma Training with Christiane Sanderson

his practical, online webinar which will be useful for psychotherapists, counsellors and psychologists across modalities. Taking place on Friday 8th April 2022 from 9.30am - 4.00pm via zoom. The cost is £65 per person, concessions available for group bookings of 5 or more people.
Cutting Out by Viv Gordon

Part performance, part installation, part collective act of resistance, Cutting Out tells Viv's 1 in 11 million story. The story of Viv's hands (from abuse to activism) happens in a co-created installation of paper dolls holding hands in solidarity, bearing witness to 11 million adult UK survivors of Child Sex Abuse.
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.

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.
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 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.
Meet the team
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.