Responding Well
Safe Spaces
www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
An independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse
Launched in September 2020, this service offers support to survivors of church-related abuse whether or not a report has been made. This independent service is run by the charity Victim Support and funded by the Church of England together with the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Church in Wales. It is free to access via telephone, email or web-chat.
- Tel: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times)
- Email: safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk
- WebChat: via the Safe Spaces website
- More information: Church of England News: Safe Spaces launches
Authorised Listeners Service
If you are a survivor or victim of abuse that happened in a Church setting, whether it happened recently or many years ago, and you would like to talk to someone about what happened, then please contact the safeguarding team. Abuse is never the fault of the child or vulnerable person who was abused.
It is always the responsibility of a person in a position of power or trust to ensure that appropriate boundaries are maintained, and that children and other people in their care who are vulnerable to abuse or neglect are kept safe.
The Diocese of St Albans commissions an independent Listening Service from independent safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight who offer a supportive listening service to those who have experienced abuse. Please see the leaflet for more information
If you or someone you know might like to meet or speak with an Authorised Listener please encourage them to contact the safeguarding team.
More Services
| Category | Organisation | Support Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Children | Childline 0800 1111 | Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything. Helpline free and open 24 hours. |
| Safeguarding | Church of England: National Safeguarding Team | Church House, Great Smith Street, Westminster, SW1P 3AZ |
| All | Church of England: Survivor Support Services | A list of organisations offering support to survivors, including therapy and counselling resources, helplines and self-help resources, is available to download. |
| Clergy | Clergy Counselling Service | Providing a professional and confidential counselling service for all clergy and/or spouses or civil partners within the St Albans Diocese. |
| Older People | Hourglass 0808 808 8141 | Action on elder abuse. Helpline free and open Monday to Friday 9-5pm. |
| Abuse: Sexual | Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors (MACSAS) 08088 01 03 40 | 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. Helpline open Saturdays 9.00am-11.30am; Wednesdays 7.00pm-9.30pm. |
| Children | NAPAC 0808 801 0331 | Offers support and advice to adult survivors of childhood abuse. Support line open Mondays to Thursdays 10am-9pm; Fridays 10am-6pm. |
| Children | NSPCC 0808 800 5000 | For adults concerned about a child. Helpline free and open 24 hours. |
| Rape | Rape Crisis England & Wales 0808 802 9999 | Provide specialist support and services for victims and survivors of sexual violence. Helpline open every day from 12-2.30pm and 7-9.30pm. |
| Abuse: Church-related | Safe Spaces 0300 303 1056 | Support to survivors of church-related abuse whether or not a report has been made. |
| Suicide | Samaritans 116 123 | Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to. Helpline open 24 hours. |
| Abuse: Sexual | The Survivors Trust 0808 801 0818 | Support, information and advice for survivors, family, friends and others affected by sexual abuse. Helpline free and open Monday to Wednesday 10-7.30pm; Thursday 10-6pm; Friday 10-2pm. |
Safeguarding Contacts for St Albans Diocese
