Safeguarding support services

For those in a crisis

Please email Karen Galloway, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, available 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday - Friday or call on 07785 621319,

or email Catherine Banthorp, Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, available 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday - Wednesday or call on 07394 568403.

Samaritans please call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org, for further information please visit www.samaritans.org

Citizens Advice, Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848, for further information please visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk

For all safeguarding concerns

Customer First to discuss safeguarding/homelessness concerns please call 0808 800 4005. 

Click here for issues relating to adults.

Sexual abuse concerns

Safe Spaces

Safe Spaces provides vital support for survivors of church-related abuse, the service commissioned by the Anglican and Catholic Churches in England and Wales, will be run by Victim Support, a national charity with a track record of providing survivor support.

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, Church in Wales or the Catholic Church of England and Wales.   Safe Spaces comprises a team of trained support advocates, who have undergone specialist training in supporting survivors of sexual violence and who have received additional specific training in how the churches respond to abuse cases, the way in which faith and church-related settings have been used to carry out abuse, and the particular issues affecting people who have had or still have, a relationship with the church.

The service is for those who may have experienced any form abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse, psychological abuse (including spiritual abuse), domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour.

Download the Safe Spaces Posters:

• With QR code | PDF 
• Male tear off slips | PDF 
• Female tear off slips | PDF 

New Provider

As of Monday 9 January, Safe Spaces is now being delivered by the new service providers – First Light. The service now has extended opening hours and a new email address (the service website remains the same).  Please check that diocesan and cathedral websites are updated with the updated hours and contact information.
 
Monday to Friday 9.00am – 9.00pm
Saturday 9.00am – 1.00pm
Sunday 1.00pm – 5.00pm
0300 303 1056
safespaces@firstlight.org.uk

Please contact ailsa.reid-crawford@churchofengland.org for further information.

For further information please visit: Safe Spaces | Weblink

You can contact the Safe Spaces team by phoning 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times) or email: safespaces@splitz.org

Domestic Abuse

The Freedom Project

Victims struggling with domestic abuse are more likely to stay in an abusive relationship if they have a pet – as they do not want to leave them behind. Abusers often use pets as tools of coercion to prevent victims from leaving. The Freedom Project, launched by Dog’s Trust, is a dog fostering service aiming to give dogs a safe temporary home for up to 9 months so victims of domestic abuse can feel more confident in leaving their relationship knowing that their dog will be safely looked after in the meantime, and that they will be able to reunite with them once safe to do so.

The Freedom Project | Weblink

Support that children can directly access

Childline 0800 1111 or for further information please visit: www.childline.org.uk

The Hideout or for further information please visit: thehideout.org.uk/children/home

Support for parents 

To learn more about how to keep Children and Young People safe online:

Think U Know | Weblink

Parentline: available on: 0808 800 2222.

Addictions

East of England Gambling Service Leaflet | PDF