Information for victims and survivors of church abuse

If you want to tell someone about church abuse you can contact any of the following :-

·      the safeguarding team here at St Nic’s (pso@stnics.org)

·      the diocese safeguarding team safeguarding@southwell.anglican.org

·      safe spaces, a free and independent service for anyone affected by church abuse – 0300 303 1056 safespaces@firstlight.org.uk

After disclosing church abuse you can have any (or none) of the following to support you.

·      Follow up meetings or phone calls from St Nic's parish safeguarding officer

·      Emotional, pastoral and spiritual support arranged via the diocese safeguarding team

·      A support person to assist you during the investigation

·      Help to find external sources of support if you would prefer this

What happens after you have told us about church abuse?

·      With your consent, we will contact the diocese where the abuse or risk of abuse took place. If the person you have made the disclosure about is still in a position to abuse, we will need to contact the diocese even if you do not consent to this

·      The safeguarding team at the diocese will investigate your disclosure and provide you with support as mentioned above

·      The personal information of the person about whom you have made the disclosure will be kept on file

  • How allegations of abuse are reported to statutory services.

·      Children’s social care will be informed if a child has, or is at risk of suffering significant harm

·      The police will be informed if a crime has been or is likely to be committed

·      Adult Social care will generally only be informed with your consent.

You may contact the statutory services yourself –

§  The police via 101

§  Children’s social care 0300 500 80 80 – (country) and 0115 876 4800 (city)

§  Adult social care 03008080 (county) and 0115 876 333099 (city)