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.
Mon - Thu: 10am-8:30pm
Fri: 10am-4:30pm
Email: [email protected]

Website: www.galop.org.uk

Rape Crisis England and Wales 24/7 Helpline. A free service to anyone aged 16+ who has experienced rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse or any other type of sexual violence. Call 0808 802 9999 or chat online. The Helpline is free, anonymous and confidential. The phone service is open 24/7 every day of the year. The webchat is open Monday – Thursday 1pm – 5pm and 6pm – 9pm. Friday: 2pm – 5pm. https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/want-to-talk/

Latest

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.
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.

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 an Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and a Volunteer and Community Engagement Officer.
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.
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.
Who we are