16th April 2025
As well as being disempowered and isolated from family and friends, it is very common for victims of domestic abuse to have their finances restricted. Those victims are often on low incomes, in debt, and are living in rented properties that have been damaged by the perpetrator. This can all leave victims feeling trapped and unable to leave.
Springfield Domestic Abuse Support in South Lakeland provides a full range of support to individuals impacted by domestic abuse. The Foundation provided £15,000 from its Cumberland Building Society Fund to fund a Poverty Lead Worker to provide tailored financial advice, support with budgeting, signposting to other support agencies, and help to find new accommodation and settle debts with previous landlords.
Springfield’s Chief Executive, Tori O’Callaghan-Lake, said: “Of the 365 clients who accessed our services in the last financial year, around 40% required the help of the Poverty Lead Worker to help them improve their financial situation.”
One client said: “I arrived with nothing. I have been supported to face my debts, which was a constant anxious feeling and a reason I probably stayed in the situation I was in. I feel like I can manage my money better and I was supported to get back into employment.”
While the majority of victims are female, ONS figures suggest that every year one in three victims of domestic abuse are male. Cumbrian male victims were obliged to seek support elsewhere as there was no provision in the county. To address this, Springfield has opened the first safe house for male victims of domestic violence in Cumbria.
The property identified needed significant renovation, so the Foundation provided £11,500 from its myLakeland Fund to replace the boiler and install security at the doors.
The male safe house can accommodate three clients at any one time and began accepting referrals in August 2024.
Tori said: “We will provide specialist support to the men to help them recover from the trauma and abuse they have experienced. Our Poverty Lead Worker will support them to claim their full benefit entitlement whilst also supporting them to budget and reduce any debts.
“Throughout their stay with Springfield, the men will learn skills to live independently, thus enabling them to successfully resettle into the community and remain safe in their own home.”