Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response

STAR's mission is to support survivors of sexual trauma, improve systems response, and create social change to end sexual violence. Our vision is to build a healthy community free from oppression and sexual trauma.

Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) is a nonprofit organization committed to serving youth and adult survivors of sexual trauma and building institutional capacity to prevent and respond responsibly to sexual violence in the community.

Our organization began in 1975 as a Rape Crisis Center and division of the East Baton Rouge District Attorney's Office. In 2012, the organization transitioned into a 501c3 nonprofit organization and rebranded into STAR. Three years later, in 2015, STAR expanded our services to the Greater New Orleans community, where it remains the only specialized, stand-alone sexual assault agency in Orleans Parish. STAR then expanded into Central Louisiana in 2016.

STAR's goal is to provide supportive services to survivors to reduce the effects of trauma. STAR provides compassionate and non-judgmental support to help survivors with their trauma and discuss their options for reporting to legal systems, seeking medical care, and receiving counseling services. STAR strives to be a beacon of hope for survivors, providing immediate and long-term reminders that they are not alone, that someone believes them, and cares about what happens to them.

Testimonials

Feedback from our clients reminds us that the work we do is meaningful and impactful to the thousands of women, men and children in our community that are affected by sexual trauma:

"I thought I wouldn't need an advocate, but I'm glad you came. For someone to get out of the bed and come to the hospital showed that people still care."

"I was so scared to take that first step, but talking to the counselors at STAR really helped lift the burden of silence I felt for so many years."