Caring for Survivors of Abuse
Listening to and Caring for People Who Have Experienced AbuseThe Church is committed to caring pastorally for people who have lived experience of abuse and other affected persons and to continuing to learn how to respond in a supportive and healing way to the needs of those who have suffered abuse. Those who have suffered abuse within the Church should always receive a compassionate response, be listened to and be taken seriously. Safe SpacesSafe Spaces is a free and independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. This could be abuse by someone who holds any role at the church or is linked to participating in a church-led activity or group. Although the churches have funded the service, it is run independently by the charity Victim Support, who are one of the leading charities providing specialist support to survivors of abuse in England and Wales. If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in immediate danger Tel: 0300 303 1056 Email: safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk Website: https://www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/ including a link to a live chat service Parish churches can dowload leaflets to promote Safe Spaces here ‘If I Told You, What Would You Do?’... is a suite of accessible materials and resources, including a series of seven videos, to support those with lived experience of abuse in a church context, as well as with those who need to see, hear and respond well to them - families, friends, church members. The resources can be accessed here House of Survivors - Stronger Informed, Stronger TogetherThe House of Survivors is a website set up by two members of The Church of England's Survivor’s Reference Group and offers useful resources and information on church-related abuse. You can access it here Survivors VoicesThe Church of England National Safeguarding Team has worked with Survivors Voices to consult survivors on how to improve practice in responding well to survivors of abuse. Download the published report here |
