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Young People

If you think you have experienced sexual violence, you can speak to us.

It doesn’t matter what it was that happened – even if you’re not sure that it was sexual violence. If something sexual or in your relationship has happened that: 

  • You didn’t want
  • You felt pushed in to
  • That you felt you had to say yes to or that you couldn’t say no

There is a chance this was sexual violence, and you deserve support. It doesn’t matter how long ago it was or who it was that hurt you. What happened wasn’t your fault. You don’t have to cope on your own.

We are here to help and we will listen to you and believe you. What you tell us is completely up to you. We will never judge you, or tell you what to do.

Sexual violence affects different people in all sorts of different ways. We know that you may have lots of questions.
You will find answers to many of the things people often ask here.

There are also resources below* and elsewhere on this website which can help you with some of the things you might be feeling.

If you’d like to speak to someone and get support, there are lots of ways to get in touch with us.

Healing from sexual violence can take time, but we are here for you, when you are ready.

Some resources you might want to read now:

What is online sexual violence?

Something has happened to my friend

 

 

 

In this section

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April is #SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth 🗯️ Raising awareness around different types of sexual violence is a vital first step in prevention. Knowing what sexual violence is can also help survivors come forward and get support if they need it. For this reason we have broken down what the difference is between sexual violence and sexual assault. If you have experienced any type of sexual violence or know someone who has, the STAR Centre is here to help. Call us on 01563 544686 or visit our website: https://www.starcentreayrshire.org/
💜 Today is #LesbianVisibilityDay Sexual violence against lesbian women is too often minimised or ignored. Gender stereotypes and internalised homophobia can make it hard to name, report, or process that harm. To every lesbian survivor: ✨ We believe you ✨ We hear you ✨ We are here for you You are not alone. 💜 #LesbianVisibility #LGBTQIA #SurvivorSupport #EndSexualViolence #WeBelieveYou
📱 There’s an app for people being stalked. This #StalkingAwarenessWeek, we're raising awareness of the @followitappscot, developed by @rapecrisisscot and the Scottish Women's Rights Centre. 🔐 It helps victim-survivors log stalking behaviours securely and privately ⚖️ Tailored to Scots law 📲 Use it whether or not you want to report to police #StalkingAwareness #SupportSurvivors #FollowItApp #NSAW2025 #YouAreNotAlone
Over the past few years, a disturbing hoax has circulated on TikTok and other platforms claiming that April 24th is a day when rape and sexual assault are “legal.” Let’s be absolutely clear: ❌ Rape and sexual assault are serious crimes — and they are never acceptable. This false narrative isn’t a joke. It spreads fear, retraumatises survivors, and contributes to a culture that minimises sexual violence. If you’ve seen posts about this online: 🔹 Don’t share them 🔹 Report harmful content 🔹 Take care of yourself & your mental health Survivors deserve safety, truth, and support — not fear-mongering or misinformation. We’re here. 365 days a year. 💜 #April24 #RapeCulture #SupportSurvivors #AnyBodyAnyTypeAnyTime
🟡 Stalking is serious—and it’s more common than you think. It’s a pattern of behaviour that can leave lasting emotional and psychological scars. This #StalkingAwarenessWeek Swipe through to learn: 🔍 What stalking looks like 💥 Its real-life impact 🧭 Where to find support Visit @actionagainststalkingaas and @live_life_safe for more information If you have experienced any type of sexual violence The STAR Centre is here to give you support, advice and advocacy. Call us on 01563 544686 or visit our website (link in bio) #StalkingAwareness #RecogniseRespondRefer #SpotTheSigns #NSAW2025
📢 We're looking for women passionate about supporting survivors of sexual violence. Join The Star Centre as a trustee and help shape our future. Skills in strategy, finance, HR, or evaluation welcome. 🌟 Apply now: www.starcentreayrshire.org/vacancies #TrusteesWanted #MakeADifference
Sorry we're late to the trend! Our version of the #actionfiguretrend comes complete with a trauma-informed, confidential, feminist and empowering approach to supporting survivors of sexual violence. Accessories include: 🍬sour sweets for grounding 🪑comfortable chairs and pillows 🎎fidget and sensory toys 📚resources 💅self-care boxes #aitrend
Today marks the start of #StalkingAwarenessWeek ! @actionagainststalkingaas and @live_life_safe will be doing a lot of work to raise awareness of stalking, focusing on how healthcare professionals can spot the signs that someone is being stalked and get them the help they need. The STAR Centre supports anyone that has experienced sexual violence, and can point you in the right direction for further support if you are being stalked.
Due to issues accessing our Facebook page we have had to make the difficult decision to make a new Facebook page for our centre. Please like, follow and share our new page! https://www.facebook.com/starcentreayrshire.org/ All our best, The STAR Centre Team
Did you know that we are now on Threads and BlueSky? We're very excited to be able to spread awareness of our work at the STAR Centre over a range of platforms. Please follow us on: https://www.threads.net/@thestarcentre and https://bsky.app/profile/starcentreayrshire.bsky.social
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
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