It was once famously said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” We often read about child abuse, feel a moment of sympathy, and then continue with our daily lives. Society has tried to numb us to such atrocities through the media dulling down or trying to normalize these events. However, as Christians, we must be people of action, not passive bystanders. We are called to be the voice of the voiceless and the protectors of the defenceless.

To illustrate how we can actively promote safeguarding and create a safe space, let’s look at the guidelines used by some churches. These guidelines can be implemented in your own place of fellowship and exemplify how to protect children and vulnerable adults within the church. By following these practices, we demonstrate safeguarding as an expression of Christ’s love for everyone we encounter in our ministries:

Promoting a Safer Church

We take the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously and work hard to ensure that we operate in line with the current best practice, as recommended by ECAP – the evangelical council for abuse prevention.

If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a Church safeguarding officer, if you have one in place and if necessary, report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.

Safer Places Pledge

We have signed up to the thirtyone:eight Safer Places Pledge, publicly declaring our intention to make change happen.

We pledge to:

Speak up

The silence around issues of abuse can be deafening, often leaving those that have been abused to be the sole voices speaking out. We will use our voice and our influence to publicly and privately speak up about the injustice of abuse and the need for change.

Put survivors first

Too often we see cases where victims and survivors have not been believed, have been silenced or have been further abused by the response they have received. We will listen to victims and survivors and ensure we put their needs at the heart of any response.

Conceal nothing

When abuse is discovered, it is important that it is fully brought into the light so that justice can be served and those that have been affected can receive the help they need. We will not cover-up or collude but be open, transparent, and truly repentant about what has happened.

Take responsibility

Rather than apportion blame or point the finger at others, we must acknowledge that abuse happens in any culture that allows or creates the circumstances for it to occur. We will take responsibility for the ways we have personally and corporately failed and will take the necessary steps to shoulder that responsibility and the reparations that must come as a result.

Make change happen

Apologies and learning lessons are important steps in the process of responding to abuse, but too often that is where we stop. We will not just take responsibility, and learn lessons, but will make active, tangible, timely steps towards change and encourage others to do the same.

Hold each other accountable

It’s important to acknowledge that issues of abuse are not confined to one particular denomination or tradition, but are issues experienced across all expressions of the Church. We will commit to holding ourselves mutually accountable by accepting the challenge of others about our own practice and challenging poor practice wherever we see it.

Who is Your Church’s Safeguarding Officer?

Example:

Lori Mac
The Narrow Path Church Safeguarding Officer

Lori is the Safeguarding Officer for all TNP Parishes. If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please contact Lori for advice.

Email: safeguarding@xxxx.org

Other contacts:

For urgent, out of hours advice, contact Thirtyone:eight helpline: 030 3003 1111

Westminster Council Children’s Services: 020 7641 4000

Westminster Council Adult Services: 020 7641 2500

If there is immediate risk or danger, please contact the Police.

Helplines

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

Childline: 0800 1111

Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900

NAPAC: 0808 801 0331

Samaritans: 116 123

Family Lives: 0808 800 2222

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Men’s Advice Line: 0808 8010 327

National Careline: 0800 0699 784

**Further reading on the subject matter is Deepak Reju’s book: On Guard – Preventing and responding to child abuse at church

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Example of safeguarding tactics from the CofE guidelines / Photo by Pixabay at Pexels