On this page, you’ll find information about the support we offer to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and guidance to help you decide if our service is the right fit for you.
If you have been advised by a professional/agency to contact us to make a self-referral, we will usually ask you to go back to that professional and request that they complete a referral on your behalf.
This is because a professional referral helps us gather the right information at the outset, reduces the need for you to repeat your experiences, and ensures we can assess your needs safely and appropriately.
If it is not possible for a professional to make the referral, this can still be considered. In these situations, we ask that the reason is clearly explained when submitting a self-referral.
If you are not currently working with a professional or agency, you are welcome to complete our contact form and we can discuss the next steps with you.
Recovery from abuse is a personal journey, and everyone moves at their own pace. At Safety Net, we want to ensure you feel safe and supported before beginning recovery work with us.
Our service is for those whose abuse ended at least three months ago and who feel ready to take the next steps toward recovery. We also have additional eligibility criteria, which you can review in our eligibility questionnaire.
If you’ve recently experienced abuse, you may still be processing difficult emotions while also managing housing, family, financial, or safety concerns. It’s okay to take time to stabilise your situation before starting recovery support. Feeling more secure can help you engage in recovery when the time is right for you. To support you, we’ve created a resources page with details of organisations that offer practical help with urgent needs.
You can also find guidance on our readiness for recovery page to help you decide if now is the right time for support.
Find out more about what someone’s journey with Safety Net looks like by reviewing this flow chart.
If you have any questions you can use our contact us page.
If you’re not sure if you are eligible for our service, please contact your GP or another healthcare professional. They can help assess whether you are ready for recovery support, and if you are, they can send us a referral.
We work closely with professionals to ensure each service user is referred at the right time. Please remember, if we say no, it’s not forever – just not right now.
If you feel unsafe in your relationship right now, please contact Victim Support at 0808 1689 111 or use their free live chat service. If you need urgent help, please call 999 and ask for the police.
Leaving an abusive relationship can be incredibly difficult and risky, and it’s important to prioritise your safety during this time. We strongly encourage you to reach out to Victim Support, a domestic abuse service that can provide the immediate help and support you need at this moment. They are there to assist you with safety planning and practical resources.
You may be in crisis if you are experiencing overwhelming thoughts of ending your life, feeling an intense urge to act on these thoughts, or struggling with heightened emotional distress such as extreme anxiety, episodes of mania, or psychosis. If you are in a mental health crisis, please seek immediate support by going to your local A&E, calling 999, or contacting the Samaritans, who are available 24/7 at 116 123.
Safety Net can support people who are refugees or seeking asylum and have experienced rape, domestic abuse or sexual abuse. In addition, we can provide support to you if you have experienced any other abuse as a result of being a refugee, for example, physical abuse or imprisonment. A professional can fill out a referral form to help you access our services, or you can contact our team directly at 01228 515859.
Safety Net only supports people in Cumbria. If you are in another area, please contact the National Domestic Abuse helpline at 0808 2000 247 or Rape Crisis at 0808 500 222 anytime, any day. Find more helplines here.
Unhealthy relationships come in many forms, whether it’s jealousy, frequent arguments, cheating or lack of respect. These behaviours can be signs of a toxic relationship, or they could be domestic abuse. In a toxic relationship, boundaries are sometimes crossed, leading to a situation where either person feels that the relationship makes them more unhappy than happy. However, it is not an intentional, systematic and calculated pattern of deliberate domestic abuse. Please click here to learn more.
We support men who have experienced domestic and sexual abuse if the incidents have been over 3 months ago. Please contact your GP or another professional you are involved with and they can fill out a referral form to help you access our recovery services. You can also contact Safeline’s National Male Survivor Helpline at 0808 800 5005. Please be advised they are open Mon – Fri from 9am till 8pm, or Sat – Sun at 10am – 2pm.
We understand that family, friends and carers need support too. It can be devastating to learn that a family member or friend has suffered rape, exploitation, sexual or domestic abuse. We support the friends and family of a person who is safe and out of the relationship. If you’re struggling with your own mental health, please get in touch with your GP or healthcare professional. If you need crisis services, please contact Victim Support at 0808 1689 111.
“The support has been immeasurable, and I’ve made big strides forward because of it… It has been a lifeline to me. I know I have a long way to go, but Safety Net has been invaluable. Thank you.”
