Introducing our 2022-2023 Impact Report

Sep 13

We’re pleased to announce the launch of our 2022 – 2023 Impact Report, which gives an overview of our achievements over the last year, supporting people who've experienced rape, exploitation, domestic and sexual abuse in Cumbria.

Over the last year, we’ve received the highest number of referrals in our history, set against a cost of living crisis that has deeply affected local people. This report highlights demonstrates how, despite these challenges, Safety Net is offering ever more effective support – with improvements in our outcome measures across almost all areas.

Why referrals have reached an unprecedented level

Recent data from the Office of National Statistics shows that domestic abuse incidents and crimes and sexual officences in Cumbria are at an all-time high. In addition to this, we’ve rapidly scaled our schools support work over the last year, to support high numbers of young people who are experiencing abuse. Both factors have led to an unprecedented 33% increase in the number of people reaching out to Safety Net for support. Over 70% of people who came to us were experiencing moderate to high trauma symptoms.

An overview of our referral numbers and the support we gave in 2022 - 2023.

Rising to the challenge - improved outcome scores across almost all areas

Despite the challenges that come with a significant rise in demand, we've witnessed year-on-year improvements in outcomes that matter for both adults and children. Our clients have seen:

Improved symptoms of trauma
Improved health and well-being
Strengthened personal safety
Greater awareness of online risks
Increased emotional resilience

Some local survivors, who feature in the report, have the following to say about Safety Net:

“Safety Net has been a big part of life and I’m extremely grateful for the help and support I have received. If it wasn’t for Safety Net I wouldn’t have made it through."

“I could sit and write a book on the whole experience, it has been life changing… I am so excited for my future now. My therapist was absolutely amazing and the whole experience will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Julia Carver, Head of Strategy and Development at Safety Net said: “This report shows how Safety Net’s approach - involving initial information and advice, stabilisation work through trauma informed practitioners, deeper therapeutic work and reintegration back into the community - has a transformational effect, supporting local people to recover from trauma and to get back to living the lives they want to live.

It's important to acknowledge that none of this would be feasible without the support we receive from our staff, funders, partners and volunteers. With this mind, we’d like to offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped us achieve these outcomes for our service users over the last year.”

Read the 2022 – 2023 Impact Report in full.

Over the next few months we will be running a campaign to highlight these key outcome figures across social media. Please follow and share to help us spread the message:

Twitter: @safetynetnorth

Facebook: @safetynetnorth

Instagram: @safetynet_uk