Domestic Abuse

SAFETY NETthis external link will open in a new window - Works with children, young people and families who have experience of rape, sexual abuse or domestic violence.

FREEDOM PROJECTthis external link will open in a new window (West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support Group) - They provide a confidential telephone helpline, professional counselling/support and group counselling/support facilitated by qualified therapist and trainers.  The project also provides training and workshops on relationships and about various issues that surround domestic abuse.  They also provide practical and emotional help and support to victims/survivors and perpetrators of domestics abuse, their families and friends.

WOMEN'S AID 24 HOUR HELPLINEthis external link will open in a new window - 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 BARROWthis external link will open in a new window - 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 REFUGEthis external link will open in a new window - 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 tiersthis external link will open in a new window 

Refuge support – safe housing for women who may need to flee abuse. (Intense support/safeguarding)

cs@springfieldsupport.org

refuge@springfieldsupport.org

INDEPENDENT SEXUAL VIOLENCE ADVISOR - Specialist support services for victims of sexual violence provided by fully qualified staff.  The ISVA's have been specially trained to have the tools, knowledge, skills, competence and confidence to respond effectively, professionally and safely to safeguard the welfare of children and adults affected by sexual violence, including the prevention and early intervention of those most at risk.  The ISVA training meets the Skills for Justice National Occupational Standards.

TURNING THE SPOTLIGHTthis external link will open in a new window - 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 Formthis external link will open in a new window  

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. 

'#What I Can Do'this external link will open in a new window 

'Are you or a loved one experiencing Domestic Abuse?'this external link will open in a new window

It includes : 

  • A unique UK-wide directory of specialist domestic abuse support services with contact details
  • A secure My Journal tool to record incidents of abuse via text, audio, video or photo form, without any of the content being saved on the device itself
  • Questionnaires to assess the safety of a relationship, plus a section on dispelling myths around domestic and sexual abuse
  • Links to further resources and information on topics around domestic abuse

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/this external link will open in a new window

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/this external link will open in a new window

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.ukthis external link will open in a new window . Churches Together DV Champions, Rev Eleanor Hancock: 01228 527106, Rosemary Campbell: 07778220810

Safety Net   Tel: 01228 515859  http://safetynetuk.org/this external link will open in a new window

West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support  Tel 01900 67167   http://www.freedom-project-west-cumbria.org.uk/this external link will open in a new window

Birchall Trust   Tel:  01229 820828  http://www.birchalltrust.org.uk/this external link will open in a new window

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   http://www.thebridgeway.org.uk/about-us/this external link will open in a new window

Springfield Community Support and Refuge Tel: 01539 720313   https://springfieldsupport.org/this external link will open in a new window

Legal support

You can seek advice from a solicitor or the Citizens Advise Bureau about your legal rights
www.citizensadvice.org.ukthis external link will open in a new window tel 0300 3300650

National helplines

Womens Aid 24hr helpline 0808 2000247 www.womensaid.org.ukthis external link will open in a new window

Childline 0800 1111 www.childline.org.netthis external link will open in a new window

National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline (Broken Rainbow) 0800 999 5428 www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/this external link will open in a new window

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.netthis external link will open in a new window

Video on Surviving Abusethis external link will open in a new window

  • Contact us
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookies