Housing advice for people experiencing domestic abuse
Domestic abuse includes any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse. It can happen between two people who are or were intimate partners or family members, regardless of their gender or sexuality.
The abuse can be:
- psychological such as making you afraid by threatening you or your children, making you feel you could be seriously harmed
- physical such as behaving violently towards you or harming you including kicking, punching, biting, slapping, restraining, throwing things, burning
- social such as stopping you from seeing or contacting your family or friends
- sexual such as rape, being forced to participate in sexual acts
- financial such as keeping you without money, selling possessions, controlling expenditure, loaning money
- emotional such as giving you the silent treatment, name calling and/or insults, mood swings, criticism, playing on your fears
If you are in fear of a partner, ex-partner or member of your family, you might be experiencing domestic abuse.
Get help now
Call the police on 999 if your personal safety is threatened or you are at risk of assault or injury.
At the Council we have a dedicated Crisis and Prevention officer whose role it is to:
- offer crisis intervention and access to secure emergency accommodation for households in a domestic abuse crisis or identified as being at severe risk of harm from others
- provide non-judgemental personalised help and support to address any immediate safeguarding and longer term rehousing needs identified
- conduct a specialist housing assessment and support including relocating to another area for those at serious risk of harm
- provide advocacy support working with key partners and statutory bodies to mitigate risks and promote community safety, including advice and assistance to anyone identified who poses a significant risk to others
- personal and community safety regulations
The service is available to men and women over 16 years of age. Contact our Crisis Prevention officer for help and support.
Telephone: 0303 123 1702
Cumbria Domestic Abuse Partnership
The Council is part of the Cumbria Domestic Abuse Partnership and is dedicated to working together with all Cumbrian district councils to be part of a country-wide domestic abuse network providing specialist advice and support to anyone who needs help.
Domestic violence helplines
You can contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 if you are a woman experiencing domestic abuse. You can talk confidentially to someone about your situation and to find out what your options are.
If you are a man experiencing domestic abuse you can contact the Men's Advice Line on 0808 801 0327.
If you are in a same-sex relationship you can call the National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline on 0800 999 5428.
Call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 if you feel in despair and want someone to listen to you and provide emotional support.
Leaving your home
If you need to leave your home due to violence, you could stay with friends or relatives while you think about what to do next. If you're a woman leaving domestic abuse, try to find a place in a women's refuge, the Housing Options service can help you with this.
Take some essentials with you such as:
- a change of clothes
- toiletries
- any medication you need to take regularly
Try to bring important items such as:
- your passport
- bank and credit cards
- mobile phone
Don't make a decision to give up your home permanently until you have spoken to an adviser and considered all your options.
Use Shelter's directory to find a Shelter advice centre or Citizens Advice in your area.
Remaining in your home
If you do not want to leave your home, there are options available to minimise the risk to you. These include applying for a non-Molestations and occupation order. If you feel you are at risk of harm, there are alternatives you could explore such as:
- changing the locks
- fire proofing letter boxes
- panic rooms
For further information contact the Housing Options service on 0303 123 1702.
Get homelessness help from the council
You can apply to our Housing Options service as a homeless person if you can't stay in your home. We will give you advice about finding somewhere to live.
Some people are entitled to emergency accommodation. You will be asked:
- to provide details of your situation
- for supporting evidence, which could include details and dates of incidents
We may refer your case to the local Multi Agency Panel to review your situation and to decide if you require any other additional security and support.
For information about Legal Aid contact Civil Legal Advice on 0345 345 4 345.
Contact Cumbria Law Centre on 01228 515129.
Help from children’s services
Some people experiencing domestic abuse may be entitled to help from children's services. They might be able to help if you:
- are elderly
- have children living with you
- are under the age of 18
- have left care (or are about to do so)
- are in poor health
- have a physical or learning disability
They may be able to help by finding accommodation for you, paying for a deposit or providing financial support.
Refuges for women
Women experiencing domestic abuse may be able to stay in a women's refuge. Some refuges are specifically for women from certain backgrounds, such as Irish or Asian women. Staff at refuges can give you advice about your situation and discuss your options.
Contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline or call 0808 2000 247 for more information about refuges.
Help for children and young people
If you or someone else in your family is being hurt at home, you may not be sure what you can do about it. Domestic abuse is not your fault and you won't get into trouble for telling someone about it.
The first thing is to tell someone else about what is happening to you. You can tell a teacher, a neighbour, a friend or a friend's parent.
You can call Childline for free on 0800 1111. They won't tell anyone else you are calling unless you are in immediate danger. They can tell you about places where you can get help.
Find out more from The Hideout about children, young people and domestic abuse and violence.
Get more help
For more help you can call:
- Shelter 0808 800 4444
- Victim Support 0300 303 3797
- OutREACH Cumbria 0800 345 7440
Confidentiality
Whatever you discuss with the The Housing Options team will always remain completely confidential.