Skip to menu Skip to content

The STAR Centre | Rape Crisis Ayrshire Donate

Blog

How do I respond to a disclosure of sexual violence?

Posted on May 23 2024 at 08:30

Although, it can be really difficult and painful for us to hear, when someone trusts us enough to disclose that they have experienced sexual violence, how we respond matters. It’s a moment that demands compassion, sensitivity, and a commitment to providing the right kind of support. In this blog, we provided steps a person can take when supporting an adult survivor of sexual violence. From staying calm and present to empowering survivors to make their own choices, each step plays a crucial role in creating a safe and supportive environment for the survivor. You can use these four steps as guide if an adult discloses to you.

[Read time: 3-4 min]

Understanding Nightmares, Night Terrors, & Sleep Problems

Posted on January 7 2025 at 10:58

Our amazing Support Worker, Rhiannon, has pulled together this blog post on nightmares, night terrors, and sleep problems. In this post she explains the difference between nightmares, and night terrors, how they may impact you, and self-care tips for sleep.

[Read Time: 4-5 mins]

Understanding Trauma & Triggers

Posted on August 20 2024 at 08:00

Our amazing Support Worker, Rhiannon, has pulled together this blog post on trauma and triggers. Triggers are a common occurrence for survivors of trauma, and survivors of sexual trauma are no different. In this post she explains what triggers are, how they may effect survivors of sexual violence, and self-care tips for those experiencing triggers.

[Read time: 6-8 mins]

How To Calm Your Mind With The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise

Posted on August 14 2024 at 13:13

The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise can be a really useful tool to keep in your back pocket for when you feel anxious, unsafe, or are having a flashback. Read more to find out how to do it.

[Read time: 1-2 mins]

#MythBusting “The Line Between Sex & Sexual Violence Is Blurry"

Posted on August 5 2024 at 15:30

For this month’s #MythBustingMonday, our Prevention Worker, Emma, unpacks the idea that the lines between sex and sexual violence are confusing, made up, or unclear.

[TW: Discussion of Rape Myths & Sexual Violence]

[Read time: 3-4 mins]

Earlier entries »

Support us

Every pound donated goes directly to supporting people who have experienced sexual violence.

Facebook X (Twitter)

Instagram @thestarcentre

Its not too late to sign up for this year's #kiltwalkglasgow and raise some funds for Survivors of Sexual Violence in Ayrshire!

You must be 13 or over to take part in The Mighty Stride.
You must be 10 or over to take part in The Big Stroll.
You must be 5 or over to take part in The Wee Wander.

For information on other events please visit the Kiltwalk website.

How to enter
Sign up now to raise essential funds for survivors of sexual violence and run an iconic race. A member of staff will then be in touch to set you up with your own personalised STAR Centre fundraising page and you’ll be able to fundraise from there!

If you manage to raise over £30 by March 31st you get a FREE tshirt!

How your donations help
In the fight to end sexual violence and support survivors, every little bit helps. No matter how much or how little you raise, all donations will meaningfully impact our service and those we support.

£5 Could go towards the cost of travel for a survivor to access support

£10 Could buy sensory toys and grounding materials for survivors

£15 Can pay for a new stack of leaflets and resources for survivors.

£20 Can pay for a care package for survivors at the centre

🚨 We’re excited to announce that we are now accepting new advocacy referrals! 🚨 after a period of having our advocacy waitlist closed we are thrilled to offer advocacy support once again. Our dedicated team are here to provide you with the emotional and practical support you need during this important time. If you are considering reporting to the police or have already done so, our advocacy workers are here to support you every step of the way. 💜 #advocacy #AnyBodyAnyTypeAnyTime

✨what an incredible achievement!✨
A huge thank you to Aimee and Jennifer for raising over £1300 for The STAR Centre and South Ayrshire Women’s Aid! 🙌 Their dedication, enthusiasm, and determination during their pole dancing event has made a remarkable difference and empowered others along the way. 💪👠 Their support is priceless and The STAR Centre is truely grateful for their donation 💜✨ you can read more about Aimee and Jennifer’s fundraiser here: https://www.ayradvertiser.com/news/24925199.1-300-raised-ayr-business-violence-survivors/ @wellnessstudioayr @asafeplaceforsurvivours @theayradvertiser @southayrshirewomensaid #Fundraiser #EmpowermentThroughPoleDancing #anybodyanytypeanytime

You never owe anyone sex, even on Valentine’s Day. Consent is always about your choice—free from pressure. If your partner makes you feel obligated, that’s not okay. You have the right to say no or change your mind at any time. Need support? Call The STAR Centre at 01563 544686. #ConsentMatters #HealthyRelationships #ValentinesDay

IMPORTANT
There has been an error on our Young Person's Referral Form: https://www.starcentreayrshire.org/yp-referral/

If you have recently filled out one of our Young Person's Referral Forms, please do so again. This way we can be sure that we have the correct details for you.

We understand how difficult it can be to reach out for support after sexual violence, and want to make sure that we can get in touch with you as soon as possible. Supporting young people that have experienced sexual violence is extremely important to us. We apologise for any inconvenience or upset that this might cause.

A massive THANK YOU to Theresa from @asdakillie for stopping by today with a donation for survivors using our service. We are so grateful ❤️

You can also help us at the STAR Centre by donating through the link in our bio

#asdacommunity #communitysupport #donation

Did you know you can set up monthly donations to the STAR Centre? Here's how:
💜 Head to our website and open the donate button. This takes you to our Kindlink Page.
💜 Tap the donate button
💜Choose how much & how often you'd like to pay
Once you confirm all your details and payment information that’s you set up!

🚨 Due to Storm Éowyn and the red weather warning, we have made the decision to close our office today. Your safety is our priority! We will reopen on Monday at 09:30 AM. Stay safe and take care! 🌧️💨

#StormEowyn #SafetyFirst #OfficeClosure #AnyBodyAnyTypeAnyTime

What is Gender-Based Violence? We campaign year-round to end sexual violence which is rooted in gender-based violence, but what does that actually mean? These graphics explain what we mean when we talk about gender-based violence and why the fight to end sexual violence cannot be separated from the fight for gender equality. 💜

Blue Monday - the days are still cold & dark, it feels like ages until payday, & the excitement from the festive season is behind us. It's normal to feel a little down right now. But even when things feel tough it's important to take care of yourself.

Self-care isn't just about face masks or bubble baths. It's about looking after your mental, emotional, and physical health. Here are a few ways to boost your well-being today:

✨Practice Mindfulness - Take a few minutes today to focus on your breath, be present & clear your mind. Journaling can also help get your thoughts down and create clarity.

✨ Exercise (Gently) - This is about losing weight or getting ripped. It's about moving your body in a way that feels good to you. Whether its a walk, yoga, or dancing to your favourite song, moving your body can boost your mood & energy.

✨ Connect with Loved Ones - Reach out to a loved one. Human's are social creatures and being with people who just get us is vital for emotional health

✨ Prioritise Sleep - Ensure you're getting enough rest. Good sleep is essential for recharging your batteries.

✨ Ask for Help - Self-care includes reaching out for professional support when you need it. If you're struggling, don't hesitate to seek help from specialised organisations
.
If you are a survivor of sexual violence and struggling, please reach out to The STAR Centre, we're here for you. 💜

#BlueMonday #GotTheBlues #SelfCare #AnyBodyAnyTypeAnyTime

Today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Human trafficking is a complex, global issue that comes in many forms, and it includes those trafficked for sex. It often involves exploitation through force, threats, or manipulation, with victims being controlled for others' profit.

Being able to recognise the signs of sex trafficking is vital in helping prevent it and supporting survivors.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sex trafficking, The STAR Centre is here to provide support. 💜

#HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay2025 #AnyBodyAnyTypeAnyTime

It is common for survivors of sexual violence to have problems getting to sleep, and might experience nightmares or night terrors when they do sleep. If this is something you're experiencing, we can help. It is common for survivors of sexual violence to have problems getting to sleep, and might experience nightmares or night terrors when they do sleep. If this is something you're experiencing, we can help. You can contact us by calling 01563 544686, or filling out a self-referral form on our website (link in bio!)

To read more about Nightmares, Night Terrors and Sleep problems you can visit our blog, where one of our support workers has pulled together background information on what is happening in the mind when we have sleep difficulties, as well as free resources to help you log and manage your sleep: https://www.starcentreayrshire.org/blog/

Has your school signed up to @rapecrisisscot 's ESAS programme? Swipe to find out more about what it is and how you can get involved !

🌟The Star Centre is back open after the winter break! 🎉 We're open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday - Friday. If you need support, our lines are open at 01563 544 686 or go to our website starcentreayrshire.org.
We're here for you 💜✨
#FeelingRefreshed #AnyBodyAnyTypeAnyTime

My experience of sexual violence happened a long time ago, can I still get support?

At the STAR Centre we understand how difficult it can be to first recognise sexual violence, and to feel able to get support. No matter how long ago your experience happened we will support you.

Did you know you can set up monthly donations to the STAR Centre? Here's how:
💜 Head to our website and open the donate button. This takes you to our Kindlink Page.
💜 Tap the donate button
💜Choose how much & how often you'd like to pay
Once you confirm all your details and payment information that’s you set up!

Happy winter solstice! Longer nights and shorter days can impact our health and wellbeing over the winter period. Here are some easy things you can do to care for yourself while its cold outside ❄️ ☃️

What do you mean when you say you support “anybody”?

Our centre is open to everyone, no matter your race, religion, identity or sexuality.

The STAR centre provides specialised support and/or advocacy to anyone that has been affected by sexual violence. We work with all survivors to provide the support they need in a way that works best for them.

❄️✨ Winter Closure Notice: Our centre will be closing at 4:30 PM on December 23rd and will reopen at 9:00 AM on January 6th.

We know that the holiday season can be a challenging time for many, and it's essential to take care of yourself. If you find yourself in need of support during this time, remember that the Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline is available every day from 5 PM to midnight. You're not alone, and there are people who are here and are ready to listen. 💜

We encourage everyone to reach out if they need someone to talk to. Your well-being matters, and we are here to support you.

#WinterBreak #RapeCrisisScotlandHelpine #AnyBodyAnyTypeAnytime

My experience of sexual violence happened a long time ago, can I still get support?

At the STAR Centre we understand how difficult it can be to first recognise sexual violence, and to feel able to get support. No matter how long ago your experience happened we will support you.