If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, you must call the police on 999.
If you are concerned about someone’s mental/physical welfare and they are not responding to your communications, phone 101 and ask the Police to make a Welfare Check. The Police will make checks to locate the person and may be able to gain entry to their home if they are not able to locate them.
The safeguarding team in the diocese undertake a variety of tasks that all add up to making church a safer place for vulnerable adults and children. These tasks include assisting the local authority with child and adult protection investigations and carrying out risk assessments with sex offenders then helping draw up agreements to enable them to attend church without risk to themselves or others. Training is also offered by the team as is designing policies and procedures to help you do your job in parishes.
Visit the safeguarding website for more information.
There are a number of useful websites and helplines, amongst them:
Websites:
- Women’s Aid (for women and children)
- Refuge (for women and children)
- Life Centre (based in Chichester, with bases across much of the diocese)
- The Saturn Centre (for men and women)
- Worth Services(West Sussex’s domestic and sexual violence service)
- Rise (based in Brighton)
- Childline
- Parents Protect: an information and resources website which aims to raise awareness about child sexual abuse, answer questions and give adults the information, advice, support and facts they need to help protect children. It covers such areas as sexting, a very real and common experience for children today.
- The Mix: a site aimed at under 25’s that looks at a variety of issues including sexting, online and mobile safety.
Helplines:
- Victim Support : 0808 168 9111
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (Freephone 24 Hour)
- RASAC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre). National Helpline: 0808 802 9999 (12-2.30 & 7-9.30)
- Rape Crisis: Helpline: 0808 802 9999 (12-2.30 & 7-9.30)
- National Domestic Violence Helpline (24hrs): 08457 023 047
- MPower: Helpline: 0808 808 4321 (for men)
- Childline. Helpline: 0800 1111
- NSPCC. Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (free from landlines and most mobiles)
- Stop it Now: For those unsure or worried about their thoughts or behaviour towards children, or the behaviour of someone you know, adult or a child, experienced advisers are available. Helpline 0808 1000 900