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Home For clergy and members Safeguarding Safeguarding and help for abuse survivors

Safeguarding and help for abuse survivors

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The Church in Wales recognises the need to minister sensitively and considerately to victims and survivors of all forms of abuse and harm, whether current or non-recent. The Church is committed to the provision of appropriate and supportive pastoral care for victims and survivors, their families and anyone else affected by association. In particular, anyone who has suffered abuse within the Church will be listened to with compassion and humility, provided with a safe environment in which to reflect on their experience and offered support and care to meet their needs. Each individual’s journey is unique to them, and the things that are important, that help them and that provide them with hope and sustenance will be different in every case. In seeking to provide this care and support, it is essential that the voice of the victim or survivor is heard and that their knowledge of their own experience informs our response.

Survivor Support is outlined in our guidance.

Responding Well to Survivors (PDF)

Survivor Support Scheme (PDF)

Safe Spaces​

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.​

You can contact the Safe Spaces team by:​

Action on Elder Abuse

0808 808 8141

https://www.wearehourglass.cymru/wales/contact-us

Lines are free and open 24/7. Phone if you are worried about an older person.

Modern Slavery​

The Church in Wales is committed to exploring every opportunity to play its part in working to combat modern slavery by prevention, detection and in offering support for its victims.​

The Church in Wales works with The Clewer Initiative and wider church networks to raise awareness of modern slavery, identify victims and to help provide victim support and care. Please also see our statement on modern slavery.

New Pathways ​

New Pathways is a registered charitable company that provides a range of specialist counselling and advocacy services for women, men, children, and young people who have been affected by rape or sexual abuse. ​

The Survivors Trust

The Survivors Trust is an umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK and provides information, advice, support and therapy to survivors. ​

MACSAS (Ministry and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors) ​

MACSAS supports women and men who have been sexually abused, as children or adults, by ministers, clergy, or others under the guise of the Church. MACSAS supports both Survivors who have remained within their Christian communities and those who have left. ​

NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) ​

NAPAC offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect. ​

Broken Rites ​

Broken Rites is an international group offering mutual support and information to separated and divorced spouses and partners of clergy, ministers, and Church Army Officers.

Live Fear Free Helpline

If you, a family member a friend, or someone you are concerned about  has experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, you can contact the Live Fear Free Helpline 24 hours a day 7 days a week, for free advice and support or to talk through your options.

National LGBT+ Abuse helpline

We support LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.

NHS

111

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/

Option 2. Lines are free and open 24/7. Phone if you need access to mental health crisis or emergency support.

NSPCC Helpline

0808 800 5000

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/nspcc-helpline/

Lines are free and open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday. Phone if you are worried about a child.
Respect Phoneline

Choose to stop: We provide help for domestic violence perpetrators.

Samaritans Helpline

116 123

https://www.samaritans.org/wales/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Lines are free and open 24/7. Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.

Replenished Life

Replenished Life is an independent charity which supports those who have experienced abuse and trauma within faith.

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