STTARS is the Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation Service. It is a non-government, not for profit organisation with no political or religious affiliations. STTARS has been providing services to torture and trauma survivors in SA since 1991. STTARS assists people from a refugee and migrant background who have experienced torture or been traumatised as a result of persecution, violence, war or unlawful imprisonment prior to arrival in Australia.

They provide individual and group counselling, information, support and advocacy. 

Call STTARS if you are from a refugee or migrant background and you experience: 

difficulty with sleeping, nightmares, anxiety and panic attacks, intense and prolonged grief and sadness, intense and prolonged guilt or anger, persistent unhappy or frightening memories, loss of memory, a sense of worthlessness and feeling disconnected from your body 

or find yourself: 

avoiding situations that remind you of past experiences, feeling isolated and mistrustful of others, unable to concentrate, constantly thinking repetitive thoughts, often feeling nervous and irritable for no reason, feeling distant from people once close to you and withdrawing from friends and social activities. 

STTARS provides Education and Training as an integral part our service to survivors of torture and trauma. 

Education and Training sessions are available to schools, GP's, allied health providers, police, volunteers and other organisations who assist people from a refugee or migrant background. 

All training is provided by qualified, experienced practitioners using resources that have been developed both locally and nationally. 

Possible topics for education and training courses include: 

• - The refugee experience and its impact on resettlement
• - The psychological and physical effects of torture
• - Working with survivors of torture and trauma
• - The impact of trauma on the development of children
• - Indicators of trauma in children

They are able to adapt and develop programs to suit the specific needs of your organisation. 

STTARS provides Interpreters 

STTARS is Confidential 

This means that they will not pass on information about you to anyone outside STTARS unless you agree. 

STTARS is FREE 

This means that it will not cost you any money to use their service.