Double your donation: STARS Dorset joins Big Give’s Women & Girls Match Fund
Every pound given to Dorset’s specialist sexual violence charity will be doubled from 6th to 13th October, as STARS Dorset takes part in Big Give’s national Women & Girls Match Fund to raise £3500 for survivors across the county.
The campaign
STARS Dorset, which provides free, confidential support to survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse, has been selected to take part in Big Give’s Women & Girls Match Fund, a seven-day national campaign that doubles public donations to charities working with and for women and girls.
From 6 to 13 October 2026, every donation made through the charity’s Big Give page will be matched pound for pound by Big Give’s Champion funders, until the match pot is used up. A £10 gift becomes £20; £50 becomes £100. The campaign closes on 13 October, timed to coincide with the International Day of the Girl on 11 October.
The need in Dorset is significant. In 2025, 1,706 rapes and serious sexual offences were reported to Dorset Police. Of these, 642 rapes and 653 sexual assaults were committed against women and girls – 76% of all incidents reported.
The effects of sexual violence can last a lifetime. Survivors often live with flashbacks, dissociation and panic attacks which, left untreated, can stop them living a full and happy life. STARS Dorset offers person-centered, trauma-informed counselling, Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) support, group work and a dedicated Children and Young People’s service, all free of charge. Its Engagement Team also works in schools and communities to raise awareness of the impact of abuse and the importance of consent.
Helen Stevens, CEO of STARS Dorset, said,
“Behind every one of those figures is a woman or girl in Dorset whose life has been turned upside down. Our job is to make sure that, whenever she is ready to reach out, someone is there to listen, believe her and walk alongside her on the road to recovery.
“Demand for our services has never been higher, and the Women & Girls Match Fund is a fantastic opportunity to go further. For one week only, every pound people give is worth double, so a small gift can make a real difference to a survivor’s recovery. Whether it’s £5 or £500, I’d urge everyone who cares about women and girls in our county to get behind us between 6 and 13 October.”
Funds raised will help STARS Dorset reach more survivors, reduce waiting times for specialist support and continue its prevention work with children and young people across the county.
How to give
Donations can be made from 6 to 13 October 2026 at donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS00000EvqLBYAZ. Donations will only be doubled when made through this page during the campaign week.
Anyone affected by sexual violence or abuse who would like support can contact STARS Dorset on 01202 308840 or visit www.starsdorset.org
Notes to editors
About STARS Dorset STARS Dorset offers free, confidential counselling, Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) support, group work and Children and Young People (CYP) services to survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse who live in Dorset. Its mission is to ensure all survivors are supported on their journey of recovery from trauma. Registered Charity Number 1178308
About the Women & Girls Match Fund The Women & Girls Match Fund is a seven-day online match funding campaign run by Big Give, the UK’s leading match funding platform, for charities working to improve the lives of vulnerable, disadvantaged or underrepresented women and girls. Donations are matched 1:1 by Big Give’s Champion partners, including The Julia Rausing Trust. Big Give highlights that the women and girls sector receives only 1.8% of UK grants from trusts and foundations. More at biggive.org/women-girls-match-fund.
Sources: STARS Dorset Big Give campaign page · Big Give 2026 campaign calendar · Big Give Women & Girls Match Fund