The Let Go Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy Service
Telephone 01768 892179 | Open 365 days a year | Weekdays 8.30 – 7.00 | weekends and bank holidays 10.00 – 5.00.
Domestic violence is defined by the Government as “any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults who are or who have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of their gender or sexuality”. Domestic violence includes emotional and psychological abuse, as well as financial and sexual abuse by family members, partners or ex partners.
The Let Go project in Eden and rural Carlisle, complementing the existing provision by Impact Housing Association of the Refuge,Safe Housing and Floating Support, offers crisis intervention, safety planning and advocacy services to anyone suffering from domestic violence and abuse.
The service is managed by Impact Housing Association and funded by Northern Rock Foundation, and forms part of the County Domestic Violence Partnership, a strategic level group working to end domestic violence, support victims and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
People can refer themselves to the service, or be referred by the police or any other agency. We can offer you free and confidential advice whatever your circumstances to help stop the abuse. All it takes is one phone call to be put through directly to a member of the team. We have advisors that are fully trained and experienced in the issues surrounding domestic violence and some of the things we can help with are:
- Safety planning and advice whether you choose to stay in the relationship or leave.
- Emotional support. We will listen to you without prejudice or judgement.
- information about how domestic violence affects people.
- Help you give a statement to the police and appear as a witness in court. We work closely with the new Specialist Domestic Violence Courts to support victims who have to give evidence in criminal proceedings.
- Move away from someone who is abusing you, or get them to leave.
- Access legal, housing, and welfare benefits advice. Local solicitors offer free outreach sessions at the Let Go offices and will advise on civil measures such as injunctions and occupation orders.
- Put you in touch with support groups for people who are surviving domestic abuse.
- Obtain medical advice for yourself and/or your children
We are not here to tell you to leave an abusive relationship, or to tell you not to return if have left, but if we feel that you are seriously at risk we will give you our honest opinion and let you know what options are open to you.
Other help available
- Help for your partner, ex partner or member of your family that has been abusive. Let Go offers the Domestic Violence Intervention Programme (DVIP), which offers a 27 week programme for people who want to change their behaviour and build healthier relationships. We can put anyone who wants to change his or her abusive behaviour in direct touch with the programme facilitator.
- Help for your children. We have a young persons advisor who works with children from 0-18 years. This will enable your child to work through some of the issues that have directly affected them. We are also able to offer sessions with a qualified and experienced play therapist.
There are some things that Let Go does not do:
- We will not tell you what to do. We will listen and give you information and advice if you ask for it
- We will not see two people together if one has been abusive or violent to the other as this increases the risks. Let Go is there for people who have been affected by domestic violence or abuse. We are not a service for people who are going through a difficult time in their relationship unless there are identifiable issues of abuse.
- People who are abusive or violent will not be seen at the Let Go office base as this is kept as a safe environment.
- Your advisor will not offer you counselling or therapy. We can put you in touch with a counsellor if you need one
The Let Go project is open 365 days a year. You can contact us by one of the following methods:
Telephone: 01768 892179
Mobile : 07876 780287
Email : letgo@impacthousing.org.uk
You can contact us in anonymity if you wish. We will be able to offer you support and advice in complete confidence.
8.30am – 7.00pm weekdays
10.00am – 5.00pm weekends and bank holidays
Answerphone available out of office hours.
Other Useful numbers
Women’s Aid 24 hour helpline
0808 2000 247
www.womensaid.org.uk
Respect
020 7022 1801
www.respect.uk.net
Mankind 24 hour male helpline
0870 794 4124
www.mankind.org.uk
Childline
0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Broken Rainbow (L/G/B/T helpline)
08452 60 44 60
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk