We want to respond well and ensure support is given to anyone who has experienced abuse.
How to contact us
We understand it can be difficult to talk about painful experiences and it may take many years to feel able to do so. In your church setting you may want to speak to your Safeguarding Coordinator or a member of clergy.
You may prefer to speak to someone in the Diocesan Safeguarding Team in Leicester. Details of how to contact the team can be found here.
Recognising that some people may not feel comfortable speaking to a person connected with the church, details of independent sources of advice and support can be found under Helpful Contacts & Resources below.
What to expect from us
Our Survivor Care Strategy sets out how we will care for and support those who have disclosed abuse related to church settings, including the Diocese of Leicester and Leicester Cathedral, and those who have experienced abuse outside of the church.
You can read it in full here.
We are indebted to the small focus group of survivors who contributed to this strategy, for being prepared to share learning from painful, lived experience. The strategy includes practical ideas and advice from the group about care and support for survivors who may be in church settings, including those who may not be known to anyone.
Responding Well
The Church of England has produced a 'Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse' Policy, which you can read in full here.
An easy-read summary of the guidance is now available on the Church of England website:
Read the 'Responding Well' leaflet.
Survivor Engagement
The Diocese of Leicester and Leicester Cathedral
If you would be interested in joining in future survivor participation opportunities, please email Rachael Spiers, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer Rachael.Spiers@LeicesterCofE.org
Church of England
If you would like to find out more about survivor participation opportunities in the national church, please contact the Survivor Participation Team on participate.safeguarding@churchofengland.org
Read more on the Church of England website.
Helpful Contacts & Resources
- Safe Spaces (0300 303 1050)
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.
Visit the Safe Spaces England and Wales website.
- Interim Support Scheme
The Archbishops’ Council has established an Interim Support Scheme to improve the Church’s response to current and non-current survivors of Church-related abuse.
Learn more on the Church of England website.
- Redress Scheme
The national Church has approved a comprehensive redress scheme for survivors of Church of England-related abuse. However, the scheme is not open to receive applications at this time.
If you are interested in learning more, you can register to receive email notifications here and find out more about the Redress scheme here.
- Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors [MACSAS] (0808 801 0340)
Supports survivors of sexual abuse by church leaders, catering to those who stayed in or left their faith communities.
Visit the MACSAS website.
- Survivors Voices
A survivor-led group offering peer support and helpful leaflets for victims of various abuses, including faith-based.
Visit the Survivors Voices website or Download their leaflets here.
- Action on Spiritual Abuse
An independent charity providing support to people who have experienced harm in spiritual or religious settings.
Visit the Action on Spiritual Abuse website.
- The National Association for People Abused in Childhood [NAPAC] (0808 801 0331)
A dedicated national support service for adult survivors of all forms of childhood abuse.
Visit the NAPAC website.
- GALOP (0800 999 5428)
National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence.
Visit the Galop website.
- Refuge - National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247)
For women and children experiencing domestic violence.
Visit the Refuge website.
- ManKind (0808 800 1170)
Help for male victims of domestic abuse.
Visit the ManKind website.
- Samaritans (116 123)
Free from any phone If you need someone to talk to, anytime.
- Childline (0800 1111)
A free, private and confidential service for anyone under 19, where you can talk about anything.
Visit the Childline website.
Local Help
- Quetzal (0333 101 4280)
Supporting women recovering from childhood sexual abuse, in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland.
Visit the Quetzal website.
- First Step (07581 568 144)
Supporting male survivors of abuse and rape (aged 13+) and their loved ones in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland.
Visit the First Step website.
- Leicester Post Sexual Abuse Service
Therapeutic support for children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse.
Learn more on the Family Action website.
- LGBTQ+ Centre Leicester
An expert domestic abuse counselling service with an understanding of the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.
Learn more on the Leicestershire LGBTQ+ Centre website.
- Freeva (0808 802 0028)
Support for those currently or previously have experienced domestic violence, rape or sexual assault (Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland).
Visit the Freeva website.