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 Support Line.

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.

Support Line Service

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

Could you create a winning design around 'Consent' for the charity STARS Dorset? The Dorset charity is running a competition, asking for people to create designs around the theme of 'consent'. From all those that enter three designs will be chosen which will then be used to print on t-shirts and other merchandise which the charity will go on to sell.
The Hair Retreat is raising money for STARS DORSET. Support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence

STARS DORSET provide an excellent service in helping survivors who have experienced sexual and domestic abuse of any age and gender during their life.
Support ALL our 2021 Sky Divers

This fundraising page is for ALL our brave skydivers who are jumping this July, if you want to support the whole group rather than one individual please donate here. Thank you.
Jack's Sky Dive for STARS Dorset

Hello! This summer I'll be jumping out of a plane to raise money for STARS Dorset, an amazing charity dedicated to the recovery of sexual assault survivors.

Make a Referral

Those wishing to access any of our services such as our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service (ISVA) or our Counselling Service can either ask a professional they already receive support from to refer on their behalf or make a self-referral.
Support Lines Available Throughout Christmas and New Year

STARS Dorset are closed from 4pm on Wednesday 23rd December until 9am Monday 4th January. Click on the title for a list of other support services available during this time. We wish all our clients, supporters and friends a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
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.

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 opportunity at STARS Dorset, Personal Assistant to CEO.
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.
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.
What we do

STARS Dorset 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.
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