What we do

STARS is a pan-Dorset charity that offers one to one support, 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 any time in their lives. We provide several different types of support including an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service, Counselling, a Children and Young People's Service and a Helpline.

Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service

Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service: this service provides practical and emotional support, information and guidance to those in Dorset who have experienced any form of sexual violence. Our Independent Sexual Violence Advisors are here to help clients make an informed decision about their options when everything can feel confusing and out of control.

Counselling Service

Counselling Service: this service provides one to one trauma informed counselling, for anyone who has experienced any form of sexual violence in their life. We operate a person-centred counselling approach combined with a trauma model. We create a safe and confidential space allowing the client to explore and address thoughts and behaviours that are overwhelming.

Children and Young People Service

Children and Young People Service: we also provide dedicated counselling and a specialist Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service specifically for children and young people. We provide impartial advice to the young person, their families or carers about their options and a safe space where they can talk about their feelings and the impact of their experience.

Helpline Service

Helpline Service: our Helpline service provides a confidential , non-judgemental listening service to anyone over 16 who has been affected by any form of sexual violence. All our Helpline volunteers are fully trained and will listen in complete confidence no matter how big or small a problem may seem. The Helpline number is 01202 308855.

Our Aims

To empower and enable anyone, of any age or gender who has suffered from any sort of sexual violence or rape, or is supporting a survivor, to work with the trauma they have experienced and gain health to live as their lives as they would wish.
To relieve the trauma, whether psychological, emotional, social or physical of persons and their families who have experienced or otherwise suffered as a result of rape, other sexual assault, sexual / domestic abuse, sexual exploitation or sexual harassment of any kind by providing support, help or assistance of any kind; and
To advance the education of the public in the subject of rape, sexual /domestic abuse, sexual exploitation or sexual harassment and/ or psychological, physical, emotional or social impact on women, men and children by such means as the trustees see fit.

Our Objectives

To provide a confidential support line service
To provide practical and emotional support to survivors through our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service
To provide support through the Criminal Justice System
To provide information and advice to individuals, communities and agencies
To provide one to one therapeutic counselling
To provide wellbeing workshops and other group-work support
To recruit staff and volunteers
To provide training, support and supervision to staff and volunteers
To deliver training to professionals,other agencies, employers and the wider community
To provide information and advice to individuals and agencies
To raise awareness on the issues and impact of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence
To monitor and evaluate service delivery and policies on a continual basis involving staff, volunteers and clients who use the service.

STARS Dorset does not work with anyone who has perpetrated sexual violence.

Please do contact us for any information you require about the service and if you are wanting to see any of our policies or provide any feedback please contact us. Feedback forms for individual services can be found on their pages in the 'Get Help' section.

Latest

STARS Dorset on BBC Spotlight June 2020

A recent feature on STARS on BBC Spotlight about the work we do and the support we have continued to offer during COVID-19.
When staying home should mean staying safe… the virus and violence

Dr Lisa Gould, PhD Neuroscience and STARS Trustee talks about the concerns around Domestic Abuse during COVID-19, her own personal experience when her home was unsafe and the support STARS offers.
Homicide and violence in sexual activity, moving from defence to offence

This blog by three Law Academics from Bournemouth University, discusses the forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill and argues that in order to avoid a major legal pitfall, campaigners need to articulate the problem and their aim more clearly, engage with the current law and adopt the legal terminology that will effectively make their point.
Could you be a trustee for STARS Dorset?

We are looking for trustees to join our board. We're seeking those with a commitment to the purpose of the charity to help with strategic development. If you are interested please email our Chair, Victoria on [email protected]

STARS COVID-19 Update

STARS Dorset are continuing to provide their vital services throughout COVID-19. We are increasing the hours of our Telephone Support Line throughout this period and both our Counselling and ISVA service will continue to support clients.
Make a referral

Those wishing to access any of our services can either ask a professional they already receive support from to refer on their behalf or make a self-referral.
Support STARS

At STARS Dorset all our services are provided free of charge, one of the only ways this is possible is through donations. Every donation however small can help make a huge difference.

Victoria's Volunteering Story

This week is Volunteers Week and throughout the week we will be releasing a series of blogs from our volunteers, past and present, about their different volunteering roles. This is Victoria's story.
Moving from Self-Loathing to Self-Love

A beautiful reflective piece by one of our Wellbeing Workshop leaders, Rachel Wilkinson. Rachel is a MARK (Minded Addictions Recover Kit) therapist and founder of CYC Community Yoga Collective a Dorset project making wellbeing accessible to all.
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.
Colette's Volunteering Story

This week is Volunteers Week and throughout the week we will be releasing a series of blogs from our volunteers, past and present, about their different volunteering roles. This is Colette's story.
Alex's Volunteering Story

Everyday this week, Volunteer Week 2020, we are sharing a volunteering story, today's is Alex's. Alex began as an Events Volunteer, then become a Support Line Listener and is now Vice Chair of the Trustees.
Compassion in a Cold Climate

For many COVID-19 has ignited flames of anxiety- for those who already struggle with their mental health, it has poured fuel on the fire. Anxiety is a normal human response to adverse situations.
Contact Us

Our contact details, how to get in touch.
Support STARS

At STARS Dorset all our services are provided free of charge, one of the only ways this is possible is through donations. Every donation however small can help make a huge difference.
COVID-19 and the Impact of Trauma

Looking at the longer-term psychological impact of this world wide pandemic on our mental wellbeing by Trauma Therapist, Philippa Dryland.
The STARS Dorset Consent Team

In this blog by Simone Gosden, Volunteer Co-ordinator for STARS Dorset, we look at the work our Consent Team does across Dorset and the issues of consent..