Events

An Introduction to Working with Trauma

This one day workshop is aimed at practitioners working with people in the community, education and health services led by Alison Woodward accredited Psychotherapist and Senior Lecturer at Bournemouth University. Read more

Skydive for STARS Dorset

Have you always wanted to do a Sky Dive but never quite had the opportunity or perhaps the reason to do? Now might be your chance! We are looking for some brave fundraisers to join us on the Friday 14th July 2023 at Go Sky Dive near Salisbury and help raise vital funds for the charity. Read more

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.
Trauma Teddies

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.
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