Our patron

We are very proud to have been advisors to the third series of the popular ITV drama Broadchurch which screened in Spring 2017. Our staff liaised with Chris Chibnall, the writer, and the production company. From this, Julie Hesmondhalgh, who played Trish Winterman, kindly agreed to be our first patron and we are delighted to have her support.

'I am very proud to be Patron of STARS Dorset, having seen at close quarters the important work they do in incredibly challenging circumstances. The help they gave me whilst researching my role as Trish in the third series of Broadchurch was priceless, I couldn't have done it without them, and what I learned had a profound effect on me.

The overwhelming numbers of women coming forward to report serious sexual assaults and rapes is staggering, and this stretched and underfunded vital service is working miracles in terms of providing immediate and long term support of survivors, of all ages and from all social groups, many of whom have literally nowhere else to turn.'

Broadchurch won Best Crime Drama of 2017 at the National Television Awards in January 2018 and we were very proud to have been mentioned in the acceptance speech by Jodie Whittaker.

'And a special thanks to the extraordinary women at Dorset Rape Crisis and Dorset Sexual Assault Referral Centre who inspired this story by sharing their experience and expertise. We'd like to dedicate this award to all the survivors of sexual assault and all those brilliant people nationwide who support them.'