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About us

The STAR Centre offers specialist, trauma informed Support Services to women and girls aged 13 years and over, who are survivors of any form of sexual violence, abuse, or sexual exploitation, no matter when this has happened in their lives.

The STAR Centre also offers criminal justice advocacy to both female and male survivors of any form of sexual violence, abuse, or sexual exploitation, who are aged 13 years and over and who may be reporting a sexual offence, or considering reporting the offence to police. The Advocacy Service offers ongoing support from the point of reporting to police, to supporting the survivor in court when s/he is giving her evidence.

The STAR Centre is based in Kilmarnock but covers North, South, and East Ayrshire, and the islands of Arran and Cumbrae.

Contact us for information about our service or for an appointment on 01563 544686 or email us on support.mail@starcentreayrshire.org, or complete our referral form here.

The STAR Centre Helpline is open Monday 2pm to 5pm and Thursday 11am to 2pm for support. Contact us by phone on 07850 214805, by text on 07850 214803, by email on support.mail@starcentreayrshire.org or by Live Chat in the box below.

The STAR Centre’s support service provides ongoing services to women and girls from aged 13 years and over in line with the Equality Act (2010) and the ruling of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (FWS vs The Scottish Ministers) 2025.

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Rape culture doesn't start with rape. It's built layer by layer through attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs that become normalised - from sexist jokes and victim-blaming, to sexual harassment, exclusion, and discrimination. This pyramid helps us see how these behaviours can contribute to a culture where sexual violence is minimised, excused, or tolerated. If we only focus on the top, the pyramid stays standing - challenging the attitudes and behaviours at the bottom matters. This can look like calling out a sexist joke, challenging victim-blaming, speaking up when someone is being harassed, or refusing to accept harmful behaviours as
💜 Could you help shape the future of The STAR Centre? 💜 The STAR Centre – Rape Crisis Ayrshire is looking for new members to join our Board of Directors as we move into an exciting new phase of our development! ✨ We’re looking for women aged 18 and over who are passionate about supporting survivors of sexual violence, abuse and exploitation, no matter when it happened in their lives. 💜 No previous Board experience is necessary — just a commitment to our cause and a willingness to give a few hours each month to help guide our organisation and oversee our vital work. 🌟 Interested in finding out more? Request an application pack or get in touch for an informal chat about the role and the work we do. 📧 Email: admin@starcentreayrshire.org 📞 Call: 01563 544686 The Director role is unpaid, with relevant expenses covered. Full details of the role and requirements are available in the application pack. Together, we can help ensure survivors continue to receive the support, care and understanding they deserve. 💜 Please note: These roles are open to women only in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1, and the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers. #STARCentre #RapeCrisisAyrshire #BoardRecruitment #VolunteerWithPurpose #MakeADifference
Consent should be freely given - not pressured, manipulated, or forced. Coercion can take many forms. It might involve repeatedly asking after someone has said no, using guilt or shame, exploiting power or status, or making someone feel afraid of what might happen if they don't agree. A
🩵 Not sure what support you need? You can still talk to us. You don't have to have the right words, know exactly what has happened, or be ready to talk about everything. At The STAR Centre, we understand that reaching out for support can feel difficult- especially when you're unsure where to start. You can talk to us to ask questions, or simply to find out more about the support available. You don't have to be sure. You can still reach out 💜 #SexualViolenceSupport #YouAreNotAlone #SupportIsAvailable
💚 Today is World Mental Health Day This year's theme, 'Lived experiences: real voices, real change', reminds us that listening is only the beginning. People with lived experience have valuable expertise. Their voices should not only be heard - they should help shape the services, policies, and decisions that affect their lives, with the goal of mental health systems becoming person-centred, and more responsive to people's needs. At The STAR Centre, we recognise that experiences of sexual violence can have a significant and lasting impact on mental health and wellbeing. For survivors, being listened to, believed, and supported can be an important part of recovery. #WorldMentalHealthDay2026 #LivedExperience #TheSTARCentre #RapeCrisisAyrshireAndArran
🚨 Strangulation isn’t harmless. And it’s important we talk about why. You might hear the word “choking” used when people are actually talking about strangulation. But there’s an important difference, and knowing what strangulation can do to the body matters. Strangulation can cause: • Neck pain • Difficulty breathing or swallowing • Seeing stars, blurred vision or loss of vision • Ringing in the ears or loss of hearing • Passing out • Loss of bladder or bowel control • And, in the most serious cases, death There’s also another part of this conversation that we need to talk about: consent. Even when someone has said they are happy to engage in strangulation, there are still important questions around whether consent can be fully informed and ongoing. Why? 🔹 The risks of strangulation are still there, even when someone agrees to it. 🔹 The full extent of the risks isn’t always understood or predictable. 🔹 Strangulation can affect someone’s ability to think clearly and make decisions. 🔹 It can also affect their ability to communicate or show that they want it to stop. Consent isn’t just about saying “yes” at the start. It needs to be informed, ongoing and something you can withdraw at any time. If this content brings up difficult feelings or experiences, we're here for you 💜 #TheSTARCentre #RapeCrisisAyrshireAndArran #Strangulation #Consent #SurvivorSupport
Rape culture starts in everyday attitudes. Rape culture is shaped by the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours that normalise, excuse, or minimise sexual violence. It can show up in everyday comments, sexist jokes, victim-blaming, sexual harassment, and harmful stereotypes. These things can seem small or be dismissed as
Podcasts have power - and with that power comes responsibility. When misogyny, harmful gender stereotypes, and the normalisation of sexual violence are repeatedly amplified online, we cannot treat it as 'just and opinion'. Currently, misogynists with a podcast can say whatever they want with minimal regulation, allowing harmful views to spread unchecked. We need greater accountability and stronger regulation for online content that promotes misogyny, hatred, and the normalisation of sexual violence. If we are serious about preventing sexual violence and creating a society where women and girls are safe and respected, we need to challenge misogyny and harmful attitudes wherever they appear - including online. There is currently a petition calling for greater regulation of podcasts. If you want to learn more, or support the call for greater accountability, you can find the petition through the following link: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/765241#data #InternationalPodcastDay #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #OnlineMisogyny #Feminism
🌎️ International Safe Abortion Day 💜 Today, The STAR Centre stands in solidarity with survivors, and supports every person's right to safe, legal, and compassionate abortion care. We believe everyone deserves access to healthcare that is free from stigma, judgement, and unnecessary barriers. For survivors of sexual violence, accessing abortion services can be particularly challenging. Alongside the impact of trauma, survivors may face barriers in accessing the care they need, as well as fear of stigma or judgement. Everyone deserves to be treated with compassion, dignity, and respect throughout their healthcare journey. We must continue working towards a future where every person can access stigma-free care. No one should face additional barriers when making decisions about their own body. #InternationalSafeAbortionDay #AbortionIsHealthcare #SupportSurvivors
Happy #WorldContraceptionDay! 💜 World Contraception Day is a campaign observed annually, and aims to raise awareness about safe sex and improve education on reproductive health. Openly talking about contraception is one of many ways we can practice consent - it is a way of checking in with each other, respecting boundaries, and making informed decisions together. While discussing condoms, the pill, implants, or other methods, can feel awkward, these conversations show that everyone's safety, comfort, and feelings matter. When it comes to contraception, decisions should be: ✅️ Made without pressure ✅️ Informed ✅️ Specific to time, place, and method ✅️ Part of an open and honest conversation This World Contraception Day, let's continue to encourage healthy relationships built on communication, respect, and choice. #WorldContraceptionDay #ConsentMatters #HealthyRelationships #SexualHealth
Nothing changes this fact. If you or anyone you know needs help, we're here for you💜 #TheSTARCentre #RapeCrisisAyrshireAndArran #SupportingSurvivors
We're often encouraged to keep going - even when we're running on empty. Remember: you don't have to earn rest, you don't have to wait until you're completely overwhelmed before asking for help, and you don't have to carry everything on you're own. Sometimes looking after yourself means putting something down, taking a break, or seeking support. You deserve the same care and compassion you give to others 🩵
📢 WE’RE HIRING! Prevention Worker Deliver prevention education to young people across Ayrshire, promoting healthy relationships, consent, respect and equality. Outreach Support & Advocacy Worker x 2 Will worker across North and South Ayrshire (one worker per area) providing direct support and advocacy services to survivors. 📍 Based in Kilmarnock 🕐 Full time – 35 hours per week 💷 £34,307 + 6% pension contribution 🌴 40 days’ annual leave 🚗 Car and clean driving license required Interested? Email us at admin@starcentreayrshire.org or visit https://goodmoves.org/organisation/001b000000St74AAAR/the-star-centre to find out more. #WeAreHiring #SexualViolencePrevention #AdvocacyJobs #SupportJobs #AyrshireJobs
👓️You shouldn't have to know where the camera is to know your boundaries matter. Smart glasses are just one example of how technology is changing the way people can record others. For women and girls, the risks aren't simply about technology - they're about power, privacy, and the ways technology can be used to facilitate violence and abuse. A common argument is that we already expect to be recorded when we're out in public. While we may expect CCTV - this doesn't mean we have consented to individuals recording us for whatever purpose they choose. CCTV has a defined purpose and rules around storage and access. Personal recording with smart glasses is different - an individual can potentially keep and share what they capture. Consent and privacy still matter. We need better conversations, better safeguards, and real accountability. #RapeCrisisAyrshireAndArran #TheSTARCentre #SexualViolence #Privacy
Preventing sexual violence can save lives. ❤️ Sexual violence can have a profound impact on someone’s mental health and wellbeing. Survivors may experience fear, shame, isolation, hopelessness or feel that nobody will understand or believe them. We can help change that. Prevention starts with all of us: talking openly about consent, challenging harmful attitudes, believing survivors, listening without judgement and creating communities where people feel safe to speak and reach out for support. When we prevent sexual violence, we can help prevent the trauma, isolation and hopelessness that can put people’s lives at risk. Every conversation matters. Every survivor deserves to be believed. Every person deserves to feel safe. This World Suicide Prevention Day, let’s remember that creating safer, kinder and more supportive communities is part of suicide prevention too. Listen. Believe. Support. Prevent. #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #SexualViolencePrevention #TheSTARCentre #RapeCrisisAyrshireAndArran #EndSexualViolence
🔔 Reminder 🔔 Our helpline is open on Mondays and Thursdays, offering support to anyone who has experienced sexual violence at anytime in their life. Whether you are looking for emotional support, information, or advocacy support - we are here to help. Opening Times: Mondays 2pm-5pm Thursdays 11am-2pm 📞 Call: 07850 214805 💬 Text: 07850 214803 💻️ Instant message during helpline hours via www.starcentreayrshire.org 📧 Email: support.mail@starcentreayrshire.org Remember, you are not alone - support is available 🩵 #HelplineSupport #ImmediateSupport #ConfidentialSupport #Advocacy #RuralAccessibility
Happy National Read a Book Day! 📖 🩷 Self-Care can look different for everyone. Sometimes it can be as simple as taking some time for yourself, getting cosy with a good book, and allowing yourself a moment away from the demands of everyday life. For survivors of sexual violence, self-care can be especially important. Self-care might be doing something you enjoy like reading or spending time with friends, getting outside, resting - or reaching out for support when you need it. There is no 'right' way to practice self-care, and you don't have to do it alone. Reaching out for support is a form of self-care too. If you have experienced sexual violence and would like support, The STAR Centre is here for you. 📞 01563 544686 🌐 www.starcentreayrshire.org Whatever self-care looks like for you today, you deserve care, kindness, and support 🩵 #NationalReadABookDay #SelfCare #TheSTARCentre
🌍💜 This International Day of Charity, we’re celebrating the power of community. As a small rape crisis centre, every bit of support makes a real difference. Donate, fundraise for us, share our posts, or simply help raise awareness of the support we provide. Whether it’s making a donation through our JustGiving, sharing our posts, starting a fundraiser, having a conversation, spreading the word, or helping someone find our services, every gesture makes a difference. There are so many ways to support our work, and no gesture is too small. 💜 Thank you for standing with survivors and helping us continue our work. Together, we make a difference. 🫶 🔗 You can support us through JustGiving. Link in bio 🔗 #InternationalDayOfCharity #TheSTARCentre #RapeCrisisAyrshireAndArran #EveryGestureHelps #RaiseAwareness
Today is World Sexual Health Day 🌍️ This year's theme is Every Body - and the space between those two words is important. It holds two ideas at once: every person, and the body they inhabit. Every person lives in a body, but not every body experiences sexual health, rights, justice, and pleasure on equal terms. Stigma, discrimination, and the assumptions built into our healthcare, education, and wider systems can create barriers for people whose experiences don't fit what is treated as the
“Revenge porn” is a misnomer. The term suggests that sharing intimate images without consent is an act of “revenge”, implying that the person whose image has been shared has somehow done something to deserve it. They haven’t. It is never the survivor’s fault. People can consensually send intimate photos to each other, sometimes regularly and as part of a relationship. Choosing to send someone a photo means consenting to that person receiving it. It does not mean consenting to that photo being shared with anyone else. Consent is specific. The recipient is responsible for respecting the consent that was given. Sharing, posting or forwarding an intimate image without consent is a choice made by the person who shares it. We use the term image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) because it better describes what is happening and the harm caused. #ImageBasedSexualAbuse #IBSA #RevengePorn #TheSTARCentre #RapeCrisisAyrshireAndArran
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