Social Prescribing Resource Sheet:
Rape and Sexual Assault

 

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We’re sorry to hear that you’re going through a difficult time. This resource sheet includes a selection of services, tools, and organisations that others have found helpful.

If you require further support in accessing these, or other services, please contact the Social Prescribing Team on 01308 428943 or email JCSocialPrescribing@dorsetgp.nhs.uk.

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Local Support

The Shores – Dorset's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

Based in Bournemouth, The Shores serves all of Dorset, including West Dorset.

They offer 24/7 crisis support, forensic medical examinations (with or without police involvement), emergency contraception, STI screening, pregnancy testing, and access to an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) plus counselling.

You retain full control: reporting to the police is optional. SARCs can preserve forensic evidence discreetly until you're ready.

Telephone: 0800 970 9954 – free and available 24/7, 365 days a year

Email: info@the-shores.org.uk

Website: the-shores.org.uk

STARS Dorset – Sexual Trauma & Recovery Service

Provides free, confidential one-to-one trauma-informed counselling, and an ISVA service to anyone living, working, or studying in Dorset, regardless of when the abuse happened.

Telephone: 01202 308 855

Website: starsdorset.org

Victim Support Dorset

An independent charity who provide one-to-one support for all victims of crime, including support for female and male victims of domestic abuse and non-recent sexual abuse.

They also support children and young people affected by crime. Their specialist domestic abuse supporter works with children aged 4–17 to help them cope with lived experience of domestic abuse.

Support is free, confidential, and tailored to your needs. Independent of the police — you don’t have to report what happened to receive help.

Telephone (Dorset): 0300 3030 163

Email: VS.Dorset@victimsupport.org.uk

National helpline: 0808 1689 111

Live chat: Available 24/7, free and confidential. Visit victimsupport.org.uk/dorset

National and Regional Support

The Survivor Pathway

An online resource for anyone wanting to know more about sexual violence support services in the South West.

Website: survivorpathway.org.uk

Rape Crisis (England & Wales)

Open regardless of gender, age, or whether you want to report.

24/7 Freephone: 0808 5000 2222

Website: rapecrisis.org.uk

 

Further Information

While we hope you may find something here that supports you, please note that these resources are not all officially endorsed by the NHS. We endeavour to ensure that all listings are accurate and up to date, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee this at all times.

If you are a local service, organisation or group that would like to be included in this guide, please contact us via secure online form and tell us about your support offering.

Last updated: August 2025.