Available Support

You Report, We Support

If you are subjected to any form of sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment, discrimination, hate or other type of abuse, report your concern to the University by clicking on the image. 

Mental Health

We offer a range of support services, including talking therapy, therapeutic groups, self-help and workshops. For more information about each of our services, click on this link or watch the video below. We also have a list of FAQs on our Mental Health and Wellbeing Pages. You can access our mental health and wellbeing support via the Student Enquiry Point 

Student's Union Advice (UCSU)

Contact our Student's Union for free, confidential and independent advice for University of Cumbria students, irrespective of where or what you study. 

Support for Sexual Misconduct 

• In an emergency where any person is at risk of immediate harm call emergency services by dialling 999
• Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC): Lancashire SAFE Centre and Cumbria – The Bridgeway
• Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs): ISVA in Lancashire and ISVA in Cumbria
• Survivor’s Trust at: https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ has a search tool to find the most local ISVAs using postcode: https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/independent-sexual-violence-advisers
• NHS info on help after sexual assault: in addition to sexual assault, the site includes advice on sexual assault, spiking, forensic evidence, consent, if you report to the police, confidentiality, supporting a victim of sexual assault, if you’re worried about a child + Multi Agency Safety Hubs (MASH), sexual health: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/
• What happens at a SARC – NHS video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et6Ja2eCW6E
• Sexual Harassment – Lincolnshire Police video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blvmRup5c2k
• Gov.uk – Going to court to give evidence as a victim or witness: https://www.gov.uk/going-to-court-victim-witness
• Gov.uk – The role of the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-role-of-the-independent-sexual-violence-adviser-isva
• Rights of women – helping women through the law - produce a downloadable PDF booklet ‘From Report to Court: A handbook for adult survivors of sexual violence’: https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-information/criminal-law/report-court-handbook-adult-survivors-sexual-violence/

Additional Support Agencies

• Rape Crisis England and Wales
• National Male Survivor helpline
• Galop - Charity that supports lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer people affected by sexual violence.
• Humraaz – specialist service in Lancashire led by and for black and minoritized women and girls, supporting survivors of violence, including sexual violence
• Trust House Lancashire – specialist counselling for survivors of sexual violence
  
• UCSU - this is a free, confidential, impartial service where students can get advice and information on academic and personal issues, including advice on procedures and representation at hearings.
• Tell Mama: Report in Anti-Muslim Hate or Islamophobia
• Report Antisemitism – CST – Protecting Our Jewish Community
• Spiking:  ‘Talk to Frank’ website for information and advice about spiking and how to protect yourself on a night out.
• Surviving Economic Abuse: The only UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of economic abuse.

All areas include definitions, information on how to report and links to areas where you can get support:

• Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences including: spiking, date rape, voyeurism, upskirting, indecent exposure, revenge porn, stalking and harassment: https://www.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/.
  Support for rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences at: https://www.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/rape-sexual-assault-support/.
  Advice on forensic evidence in rape and sexual assault: https://www.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/forensic-evidence-rape-sexual-assault/
• Spiking and date rape drugs: https://www.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/spiked-drinks-date-rape-drugs/
• Domestic abuse: https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/
• Hate crime: https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/hco/hate-crime/
• Revenge porn: https://www.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/revenge-porn-intimate-image-abuse/
• Stalking and harassment: https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/sh/stalking-harassment/

• Respond: https://respond.org.uk/ offer specialist support and therapy services to those with learning disabilities and autism to help reduce the impact of trauma in their lives. They have a section on ISVAs: https://respond.org.uk/independent-sexual-violence-advocacy-isva-service/#

WalkSafe+ is the UK’s leading personal safety app which combines journey-sharing features and a national Safe Space map. The map plots safety-trained venues across the UK in partnership with Local Authorities and Businesses that offer safety facilities such as phone charging stations and free period products, enabling our users to find help in real-time while on their commute home. WalkSafe+ has a suite of tracking and non-tracking features available, which enables trusted friends to follow your live journey should you need it. 

The free app has received the backing of organisations and agencies including Cumbria Police, Cumberland Council, Armstrong Watson and the University of Cumbria. 

Google Play Download

Apple Store Download

The app features a map of the city that pinpoints local venues that have received accreditation in certain safety standards that may make people feel safer on a night out.

The app also can help people plot a safer route home. 

Users can share their live location with trusted contacts and the app will notify friends and family when they get home safely. 

It features an SOS button to alert trusted friends immediately that you feel in danger. The app also highlights features such as:

• Venues that operate the Ask for Angela scheme, where people can ask a member of staff for support by “asking for Angela”.
• On-street support, such as the Safer Streets Welfare Hub in Carlisle City Centre.