The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham are committed to supporting survivors of church-based abuse. We recognise that this might be difficult, and this page contains information regarding help and support available in and outside of the diocese.
If you’ve experienced abuse either directly or indirectly from someone who is or has worked in the Church of England, please know that you’re not alone. It’s important to reach out for help and support.
Professional and non-judgmental assistance is available from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. We can discuss the available support and your options for reporting abuse.
If you are a member of the Church of England and you have experienced abuse outside of the church context and would like support, this page may still be helpful, and we may still be able to signpost you to appropriate support services.
Diocesan Safeguarding Team –
01636 817 200. Monday – Friday 9 – 5
National Safeguarding Team
If your concern relates to a senior member of the Clergy, including Bishops and Deans, you can report and receive support from the National Safeguarding Team.
safeguarding@churchofengland.org
Reporting abuse and finding support | The Church of England
Alternatively, you may choose to contact Safe Spaces, who offer an independent service supporting those who have suffered church-based abuse.
Safe Spaces –
0300 303 105. Monday – Friday 9 – 5, with late opening until 7pm on Tuesdays.
safespaces@splitz.org
There are many other support services that may be helpful. Below, you’ll find a list of some options along with their contact information.
Support
Safe Spaces England and wales – Safe Spaces England and wales
MACSAS Minister & Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors
Thirtyone:eight home page (thirtyoneeight.org)
NAPAC – Supporting Recovery From Childhood Abuse
Replenished, Spiritual Abuse, Support
Survivors – Restored (restored-uk.org)
Support for Male Survivors
Contact – Safeline – Believe in you – Surviving sexual abuse & rape
Domestic Abuse –
Help For Domestic Violence Perpetrators | Respect Phoneline UK
I need help – information and support on domestic abuse (womensaid.org.uk)
Home | Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline (nationaldahelpline.org.uk)
Support in Nottinghamshire –
Search Results | Ask Lion – Nottingham City Directory
About SAFE Survivors Nottingham | SAFE Survivors Nottingham (wordpress.com)
Nottinghamshire Womens Aid – Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid (nottswa.org)
Equation | Domestic Violence Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services | Notts SVS Services
National guidance
If you’re interested in learning about how the Church of England responds to Church-based abuse, and what support you can expect from the Church, this is a helpful guide.
There are further resources available via the Church of England website, this includes videos from other survivors and a Safeguarding E-manual which contains the policies and practice guidance that underpins our work.
Safeguarding e-manual | The Church of England
Survivor Engagement Protocol
We are committed to supporting those who have experienced church-based abuse and have developed a protocol to assist this work. This was written with the assistance of both survivors of abuse and specialist support agencies to encourage the engagement with those with lived experience of trauma. This was introduced during the Past Case Review 2 and has been further developed to guide our work.
Whilst our focused work is within the context of the church, we use the protocol to assist signposting survivors and those with lived experience of trauma to the most appropriate support.
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Diocesan Safeguarding Team Statement Concerning Peter John Holland (Deceased)
Peter John Holland, now deceased, and with no known living relatives, was convicted in 2011 of multiple criminal offences against children within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. We are aware that Peter Holland had multiple roles and connections within churches across the
Blog
Our monthly Blog is developed by survivors for survivors and contains poetry, artwork, music, inspiring stories and much more.
This can be a helpful way to connect with others who have shared experiences whilst maintaining complete anonymity and confidentiality.
If you would like more information regarding this, please contact: Team/Contact – Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham