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Our Office
Springfield Women’s Refuge
South Lakeland, Kendal Lads and Girls
Club, Beezon Fields, Kendal, Cumbria,
LA9 6BD
Monday – Friday
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Contact
Springfield Women’s Refuge
01539 720313
refuge@springfieldsupport.org
Community Service
01539 726171
cs@springfieldsupport.org
Want to help Springfield?
Domestic violence
Domestic abuse, or domestic violence, is defined across Government as any incident of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of their gender or sexuality.
Men, women and children can all be victims of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse occurs amongst people of all ethnicities, sexualities, ages, disabilities, immigration status, religions or beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds.
If you’re experiencing any kind of domestic or sexual abuse, please get in touch for support and advice.
Homelessness
If you aren’t safe in your home because of violence, abuse or threatening behaviour you can get help with a safe space to stay or support to stay in your home safely. Contact your local council and ask for the Housing Options team who have a duty of care to advice you on your options and support you in these circumstances.
Further information on homelessness can be found at www.england.shelter.org.uk
If you are worried about someone sleeping rough further information can be found at www.streetlink.org.uk
Counselling & Support
You may feel formal counselling would be more helpful. Counsellors use different styles, depending on their theoretical approach and it’s important to find both a counsellor and an approach that works for you. Your GP may be able to refer you to a counsellor. Alternatively you can contact the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy www.bacp.co.uk for a list of trained and accredited counsellors in your area. Other useful therapeutic and holistic support can be viewed at www.therapy-directory.org
LGBTIq+
LGBTQ+ people can experience domestic abuse regardless of age, class, disability, gender identity, caring responsibility, immigration status, race or religion.
Further information and support can be found at:
https://www.consortium.lgbt/member-directory/bi-survivors-network/
https://lgbt.foundation/domesticabuse
http://www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/
http://www.galop.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Domestic-Violence-and-Abuse-and-the-LGBT-communities.pdf
Forced Marriage, Arranged Marriage & Honour Based Abuse
The concept of ‘honour’ is for some communities deemed to be extremely important. To compromise a family’s ‘honour’ is to bring dishonour and shame and this can have severe consequences. The punishment for bringing dishonour can be emotional abuse, physical abuse, family disownment and in some cases even murder.
In most honour-based abuse cases there are multiple perpetrators from the immediate family, sometimes the extended family and occasionally the community at large. Mothers, sisters, aunties and even grandmothers have been known to be involved in the conspiring of honour crimes.
What is the difference between an Arranged and Forced Marriage?
Arranged Marriage: Both participants give their full consent and enter the marriage willingly.
Forced Marriage: One or both participants enter the marriage without giving their consent. They go through with the wedding under duress from their families.
Forcing someone into marriage is a criminal offence in the UK.
Further information and support can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/stop-forced-marriage
https://southallblacksisters.org.uk/campaigns/forced-marriage-and-honour-based-violence/