Making a disclosure
Anybody who would like to give information or make disclosures about church-related abuse in the Diocese of London can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 020 3837 1224 or safeguarding@london.anglican.org
Information can also be submitted to the safeguarding team via this online concern form.
You can also contact the Truth Project which offers victims and survivors of child sexual abuse the chance to share their experiences and be heard with respect. It is part of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The Inquiry was set up because of serious concerns that some organisations have failed to protect children from sexual abuse. Over 4,000 people have already come forward to the Truth Project.
Listening to your experiences and suggestions helps us recommend changes to protect everyone from abuse, now and in the future
PCR2
PCR2 stands for ‘Past Cases Review 2’ and was a large-scale independent review of the handling by the Church of safeguarding cases over many years. It involved a scrutiny of clergy and church officers’ files to identify persons presenting on-going risks to children, adults at risk of harm and domestic abuse and also sought to identify those cases which had not been acted upon appropriately.
The PCR2 had a key focus on listening to survivors who wanted to come forward. The Church was criticised for not including their voices in the original PCR in 2007 so it was important for us to get this right. Consultation with and advice from survivors of abuse within the church, alongside advice from trauma-informed professionals, was central to the discharge of PCR2.
Within the Diocese of London, we worked in partnership with two survivor organisations; NAPAC and Victim Support to offer support to anyone who had previously experienced any church related abuse. We developed our survivor strategy, which will be added to and strengthened.
Safe spaces
An independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse
Launched in September 2020, Safe 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 in 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 (answerphone available outside of opening times)
- Email: safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk
- WebChat – via the Safe Spaces website
- More information on the Church of England website
Getting help from other organisations
- Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602
- Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything
- A Guide to Support – listening to & supporting survivors of abuse.pdf
- Hourglass action on elder abuse helpline: 0808 808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)
- Hub of Hope for those experiencing mental or emotional distress
- LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428 help@galop.org.uk
- London Survivors Gateway for sexual violence support services
- Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327 info@mensadviceline.org.uk
- Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors (MACSAS): 08088 01 03 40
- National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC): 0808 801 0331
- NAPAC – supporting recovery from childhood abuse
- National Rape Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999 and is open every day from 12-2.30pm and 7-9.30pm
- NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child
- Refuge for women and children against domestic violence: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours)
- Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours) if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to
- The Survivors Trust: 0808 801 0818 and is open Monday to Wednesday 10-7.30pm, Thursday 10-6pm and Friday 10-2pm
A fuller list of organisations offering support to survivors, including therapy and counselling resources, helplines and self-help resources, is available to download.