SAFETY NET - Works with children, young people and families who have experience of rape, sexual abuse or domestic violence.
FREEDOM PROJECT (WEST CUMBRIA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT GROUP) - They provide a confidential telephone helpline, free professional counselling and group counselling/support facilitated by qualified therapist and trainers. They help the whole family recover from the effects of domestic and sexual abuse. They work with victims/survivors perpetrators and children and young people. They support you whether you are still in an abusive relationship or have left. They also provide training and workshops on relationships and about various issues that surround domestic abuse.
WOMEN'S AID 24 HOUR HELPLINE - Women's Aid is the national charity for women and children working to end domestic abuse. They provide expert training, qualifications and consultancy to a range of agencies and professionals working with survivors or commissioning domestic abuse services. The 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (run in partnership with Refuge) and a range of online services, which include the Survivor's Forum, help hundreds of thousands of women and children every year.
WOMEN'S COMMUNITY PROJECT BARROW - One stop shop for issues relating to domestic violence, housing, drugs, alcohol, debt etc. Creche and Women's Café. Drop in and emotional support.
SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND REFUGE - Springfield offers support to adults affected by domestic abuse in the South Lakes, within the community and refuge setting. Support can be sought by anyone currently affected by abuse, historic abuse, or worried about a loved one who may be actively experiencing abuse. Support consists of a tailored specialist intervention, primarily to safeguard an individual, and minimise harm, but also to allow healing from trauma and therapeutic support, to move on. Support can include counselling, information and advice, safety planning, referrals to other agencies for safeguarding, or more specialist support, such as benefits /housing advice. Support can include advocacy and support when navigating agencies such as police/court/ children’s services. Therapeutic groups are also available, including peer support, mindfulness, domestic abuse recovery, self-esteem and confidence, and a processing trauma group. MARAC referrals are mandatory for safeguarding those most at risk. Support tiers
Refuge support – safe housing for women who may need to flee abuse. (Intense support/safeguarding)
TURNING THE SPOTLIGHT - Turning the Spotlight is a new package of tailored support for families experiencing low level domestic abuse. This holistic approach engages the whole family with the aim of reducing incidents of domestic abuse.
RESTORATIVE SOLUTIONS - Have been delivering 'Step Up' a child on parent violence programme in Cumbria since 2015 and are commissioned and funded to deliver the programme by Cumbria Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner across Cumbria. Step Up works with the whole family and young people aged 11-17 can be referred. They are currently recruiting now. Step Up Referral Form
BRIGHT SKY - 'A specific app, Bright Sky, providing support and information for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or someone concerned about a friend or family member. In addition, the app is available for use by employers and service providers.
'Are you or a loved one experiencing Domestic Abuse?'
It includes :
You can download Bright Sky for free on the Google Play Store and App Store, where it is available in English, Polish, Punjabi and Urdu.
It's never easy to come to terms with the fact that you may be experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Cumbria has a countywide domestic abuse service (Let go) who are available to help and advise on medium and high risk cases. If they can’t support you themselves they will be able to signpost you to someone who can.
Coercion and Control
The Serious Crime Act 2015 creates a new offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in intimate or familial relationships (section 76). This website is for social workers and other health and social care practitioners to develop their knowledge and skills in working with situations of coercive control (Research in Practice for Adults and Women's Aid). This resource was commissioned by the Chief Social Worker's Office at the Dept of Health. http://coercivecontrol.ripfa.org.uk/
Cumbria Constabulary
The police primary role is to prevent and detect crime; their overriding concern is to ensure the safety of the victim and to reduce the risk of further violence to anyone who may be present. The police will listen; provide help and immediate assistance if required. http://www.cumbria.police.uk/
In an emergency call 999, non emergency 101.
Victim Support
Victim Support provides an integrated support service for victims of crime and abuse. This includes a range of services, such as risk assessment and safety planning emotional support, practical help with issues ranging from rehousing and accessing medical care to assistance with completing forms, advocacy and help to understand and navigate the criminal justice system.
REFERRAL DETAILS:
The service can be contacted on 0300 3030157 during office hours (8am-6pm Monday-Friday) and the Supportline is available for service users 24/7 on 0808 1689111
For victims of domestic abuse who are at high risk of harm or homicide (whether or not they have reported to the police), support is provided by Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advisors. Referrals can be made by emailing highpvp@victimsupport.cjsm.net. A completed DASH risk assessment must be provided.
For victims of domestic abuse who are at medium risk (whether or not they have reported to the police), support is provided by Independent Victim Advocates who are trained to support people experiencing domestic abuse. Referrals can be made by emailing mediumpvp@victimsupport.cjsm.net. A completed DASH risk assessment must be provided.
For victims of domestic abuse who are assessed as being at standard risk, the service can provide support for those who have reported crimes to the police and this is provided by Independent Victim Advocates. Referrals can be made by emailing Vcu.cumbria@victimsupport.cjsm.net. A completed DASH risk assessment must be provided.
The service also includes support for victims of rape and sexual assault, including specialist support for children and young people who are victims of serious sexual assaults. The service works as part of the network of services provided through The Bridgeway for sexual assault victims. Sexual abuse cases requiring Independent Sexual Violence Advisor support can be referred to the service by emailing: cumbria.isva@victimsupport.cjsm.net
If you are unsure about which email address to submit a referral to, contact the service or email: Vcu.cumbria@victimsupport.cjsm.net or CumbriaVARC@victimsupport.org.uk (not secure)
Third Sector Agencies
There are also statutory and voluntary sector agencies in Cumbria who can provide counselling and therapeutic support. For details of the agencies who can offer support and links to their websites please go to the Third Sector Partner agencies section.
Churches Together in Cumbria
Christian communities working in partnership to tackle domestic violence www.churchestogethercumbria.co.uk . Churches Together DV Champions, Rev Eleanor Hancock: 01228 527106, Rosemary Campbell: 07778220810
Safety Net Tel: 01228 515859 http://safetynetuk.org/
West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support Tel 01900 67167 http://www.freedom-project-west-cumbria.org.uk/
Birchall Trust Tel: 01229 820828 http://www.birchalltrust.org.uk/
NSPCC Tel: 0808 800 5000 https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/domestic-abuse/
Victim Support Tel: 0300 303 0157 https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/support-near-you/north-west/cumbria
Barnardos Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what_we_do/our_work/domestic_violence.htm
Bridgeway Centre Tel: 0808 118 6432 https://www.thebridgeway.org.uk/
Springfield Community Support and Refuge Tel: 01539 720313 https://springfieldsupport.org/
Legal support
You can seek advice from a solicitor or the Citizens Advise Bureau about your legal rights
www.citizensadvice.org.uk tel 0300 3300650
National helplines
Womens Aid 24hr helpline 0808 2000247 www.womensaid.org.uk
Childline 0800 1111 www.childline.org.net
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline (Broken Rainbow) 0800 999 5428 https://galop.org.uk/types-of-abuse/domestic-abuse/
Men’s support services
Victim Support works with male victims of domestic abuse and there is also a national helpline. The Mens Advice Line 0808 16 89 111
Support for perpetrators
Respect (for perpetrators) 0808 802 4040 www.respect.uk.net
Video on Surviving Abuse