Get Informed

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law)

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme enables the police to share information with you about an individual’s previous offending, specifically violent and/or abusive offences.

The scheme which is also known as Clare’s Law was named after Clare Wood who was murdered in Manchester in 2009 by her ex-boyfriend.

The aim of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme is to protect a partner or ex-partner from being a victim of abuse.

For more information about the scheme and to request information under Clare’s Law in Dorset, you can visit Request information under Clare’s Law: Make a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) application | Dorset Police

The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (Sarah’s Law)

The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme is a scheme which enables the police to tell parents, carers, and guardians if someone has a record for child sexual offences.

The scheme which is also known as Sarah’s Law was named after Sarah Payne who was eight years old when she was murdered by a convicted sex offender in 2000.

The aim of the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme is to keep children safe.

For more information about the scheme and to request information under Sarah’s Law in Dorset, you can visit Sarah’s Law (Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme) | Dorset Police

Sexual Violence Awareness Week - in the Bournemouth Echo

STARS conducted a series of activities during Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week to increase access to support and education. We engaged in “street chalking” in Poole town centre, where members of the Youth Parliament shared experiences of sexual harassment.

Events at Bournemouth University allowed students to ask shame-free questions, particularly focusing on topics like sexual choking, asphyxiation, kink, and BDSM. Games were used to facilitate open discussions.

STARS also hosted the Let’s Talk Pants campaign in The Dolphin Centre, Poole to teach children how to stay safe. Adults were asked to share what advice they would give to their younger self, so STARS can bring further support to the community. The charity plans to continue community events, with support from local organizations like The Dolphin Centre which hosted their activities.

SPEAK UP

The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.

In Britain, where 1 in 3 women will experience sexual harassment, 1 in 5 will face sexual assault, 1 in 10 will be a victim of rape and 1 in 20 children will experience sexual abuse – jokes or casual banter about rape are never funny. Calling out everyday sexism, demeaning language and jokes about sexual abuse or rape is one way we can keep ourselves, our family and our friends safe from sexual violence.

If you hear something, say something.

No joke is harmless if it harms, and jokes about rape, sexual assault and abuse normalise and excuse serious sexual crimes. This kind of talk makes it easier for abusers to abuse, and harder for victims to come forward.

But here’s where you come in. By calling out these casual references to violence, we can start to shift the narrative. It’s not about grand gestures or public showdowns; it’s about saying, “That’s not right,” or “That’s not funny,” in the moment. This simple act of speaking up sends a powerful message: sexual violence is never acceptable.

Articles and research

Who are The Survivors Trust?

The Survivors Trust is a non-profit, national membership organisation for specialist rape and sexual abuse services. We are a small team with a big heart and vision for improving access to specialist services for survivors of rape, sexual abuse and assault. We have over 120 member charities throughout the UK and Ireland who offer a range of services to people who have experienced sexual violence, abuse and exploitation.

Reporting a Sexual Assault

Get help and support if you or someone you know has been the victim of rape, sexual assault or another sexual offence. Dorset Police won't judge you, they’ll treat you with sensitivity and respect, and will always put your health and wellbeing first.

Worlds AIDS Day Monday 1st September 2025

1st December every year is World AIDS Day, and it is a day to remember those that have lost the battle to AIDS complications and to commemorate the people living with or affected by HIV. But what does it mean to be a woman in all of this? Globally 52% of people living with HIV are women but, in the UK, we make up a third of all people living with HIV.