Helpful tools
My Support Space is a free, safe, secure and confidential online resource provided by Victim Support designed to help you manage the impact that crime has had on you. These support resources are also appropriate for victims and survivors of abuse. My Support Space contains interactive guides covering a range of topics such as sleep, trauma, difficult emotions and wellbeing. Each guide contains videos, techniques, activities and tips, and can be completed at your own pace.
You can also create an online diary, find useful resources and request direct support.
Create your free account here
Royal College of Psychiatrists: This link provides detailed information on post-traumatic stress disorder.
Website: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/post-traumatic-stress-disorder
It’s Good to Talk is a place full of positivity, tips and chit chat. In their podcast, they want to give you a safe space, so join them, and their guest each week for a chat, because it’s good to talk!
Website: https://anchor.fm/itsgoodtotalk
Day of Prayer for Suvivors of Abuse: On Thursday 6th May at 7pm Bishop John will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral, remembering all victims of abuse, particularly those in our parishes and families. The Mass is open to everyone and all are welcome, subject to the current social distancing restrictions etc. Survivors of abuse have been involved in the planning of the Bishops’ Conference liturgy resources which will be used at the Mass.You can find more information about this here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/safeguarding/day-of-prayer-for-survivors-of-abuse/day-of-prayer-for-survivors-of-abuse-2021/
You can also take part in the Mass livestreamed by the following link: https://www.churchservices.tv/salfordcathedral
Reporting abuse
Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service: Within every Catholic diocese in England and Wales, there is a safeguarding office where concerns and allegations can be reported. By using this link, and hovering over the interactive map, you can find contact details for the different dioceses.
Website: https: Links – CSAS
The Church of England Safeguarding: There are Safeguarding Advisers in every diocese and Safeguarding Officers in every parish. If you are worried about someone, please contact your Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser. The link below will take you to the relevant website where there is contact information.
Website: https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding
Email: safeguarding@churchofengland.org
The Church in Wales Safeguarding promote the wellbeing of children and adults at risk, raise awareness of safeguarding within the church, work to prevent abuse or harm from occurring and seek to protect and respond well to those that have been abused.
Website: https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/safeguarding/
Reporting guide - your guide on reporting non-recent child sexual abuse to the police in the UK
This is a guide prepared by Operation Hydrant which tells you what to expect when reporting to the police. You can view this here.
Agencies supporting victims of church related abuse
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. MACSAS support both survivors who have remained within their Christian communities and those who have left. They offer a telephone and email helpline.
Phone: 0808 801 0340
Email: support@macsas.org.uk
Website: https://www.macsas.org.uk/
Replenished Life aims to provide a safe place and space for survivors of spiritual abuse/coercive control in a religious setting. They facilitate safe spaces for survivors to explore the next steps on their journey to recovery and signpost survivors to services and resources available to aid them in their journey.
Phone: 07746 153 703
Email: simonandcaroline@replensihed.life
Website: https://www.replenished.life
Survivors Voices supports anyone who has experienced abuse, trauma or violence as a child or an adult. Survivor’s voices also recognise the needs of people supporting survivors in non-professional roles, as peers, partners, family members and friends.They offer peer support and enlightened self-help through their private Facebook group, informal gatherings and the London Survivors Group
Website: https://survivorsvoices.org
thirtyone:eight are an independent Christian safeguarding charity which helps individuals, organisations, charities, faith and community groups to protect vulnerable people from abuse.
Website: https://thrityoneeight.org