Safeguarding – Safe Spaces
The Archdiocese has publicised the work of ‘Safe Spaces’. Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Catholic Church of England and Wales, the Church of England or the Church in Wales.
Safe Spaces can be contacted via:
Tel: 0300 303 1056
Email: safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk
Web: https://safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/
Further details of the help and support available click here
Reporting abuse
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger.
It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased.
If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the Police. Contact details for Liverpool Archdiocese Safeguarding Department can be found here.
If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to the safeguarding office in your diocese. Contact details for Liverpool Archdiocese Safeguarding office can be found here. You can also contact CSAS by telephoning 0207 901 1920 or via email at admin@csas.uk.net
Useful links
Archdiocese of Liverpool Safeguarding Department
Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA)
Guide to understanding LGBTQI+ Hate Crime
The Archdiocese has publicised a user friendly and easy to read guide from Stop Hate UK called ‘Understand LGBTQI+ Hate Crime’.
The guide defines the different types of LGBTQI+ hate crimes and also covers key points such as: understanding hate crime law, online hate, how to report a hate crime, taking care of yourself after a hate crime, going to the police and going to court.
The final two pages have contact details (phone and email) of where to go for help.
To view the guide LGBTQI_Hate_Crime_Guide_Mar21
Safeguarding in the use of videoconferencing
The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS) has prepared some useful guidance on safeguarding in the use of videoconferencing. The guidance includes links to a number of informative charities that can help parents and carers guide children and young people through our accelerated use of an online world. Please click here to read.
Domestic abuse: Help and support
The Catholic Bishops Conference for England and Wales have prepared guidance on how to raise issues concerning domestic abuse. The guidance also includes a list of helplines and information about how to safely get help. Please click here for information.
Domestic abuse (#YouAreNotAlone)
– If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police – the police will continue to respond to emergency calls;
– If you call 999 from a mobile and cannot speak, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard (link embedded to scheme) and this will transfer your call to the police. Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location;
– National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247 or www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk
The Parishes of Holy Name & Our Lady and St Philomena 