A former teacher who set up a ground-breaking charity for victims of sexual and domestic abuse is to leave the organisation.

Over the last 12 years, Carlisle based Safety Net has supported thousands of people who were battling to overcome the trauma of abuse through advice, therapy and professional counselling.

She has also become a staunch advocate for a range of measures to combat the problem, campaigning for service improvements, greater awareness, and more widespread professional training.

In a surprise move, Ms Finnegan has confirmed that she will now leave the organisation to pursue other interests.

She said: “Safety Net has been very much part of my life and I am immensely proud of what has been achieved. Cumbria had no dedicated provision to help victims of sexual abuse recover, and I am proud to have led the drive to remedy that.

“Now is the time to move on, but I am sure Safety Net will carry on its important work and I wish it every success in the future.”

Chris Armstrong, the charity's chairman, said: “Abigail Finnegan founded Safety Net some 12 years ago and, by her vision and enthusiasm, created an organisation that has helped countless victims recover from the trauma of their ordeal.

“Safety Net helps not only the victims themselves but provides integrated support to their families.

"We in Safety Net are sorry to see Abi go, but with our team of dedicated and experienced staff, we will ensure that her innovative legacy continues as we look to enhance the services that we offer.”

Though Safety Net had humble beginnings, it has grown remarkably over the last decade, and prides itself on providing professional support that helps victims transform themselves into survivors.

Several years ago, she was appointed to an influential national panel whose job was to advise ministers on how to best meet the complex needs of crime victims.

More recently, she backed the vision – now made a reality – of having a Cumbria based forensic service for victims of sex crimes.

Her leadership of Safety Net has been reflected in its steadily rising number of referrals – up from 305 last year to 44 at the end of the last financial year.

The charity helps people in both east and west Cumbria.

Mr Armstrong added: “Safety Net is a fantastic organisation and its work will not change. It will be business as usual.”

The charity is organised along a three tier structure: firstly it is there to offer advice, education and training on abuse; secondly, to offer initial emotional and practical support to victims; and thirdly, it offers more longer term trauma therapeutic support to individuals and their families.”

To find out more about Safety Net, log on to www.safetynetuk.org/