External Resources
Below are a range of external resources including helplines and websites where you can find information and support about issues relating to safeguarding. We have provided a quick guide below to help you find what you need.
I need to speak to someone urgently
I need advice and support about:
Domestic Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Child Abuse
Abuse in a Faith-Setting
Elderly Abuse
Helplines
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours)
Phone if you are worried about a child.
Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours)
Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours)
Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours)
Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 0808 808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm)
Phone if you are an older person who is experiencing abuse, neglect or financial exploitation.
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood): 0808 801 0331 (free phone, 10am - 9pm Monday to Thursday & 10am - 6pm on Friday)
Phone if you are an adult survivor of childhood abuse and would like support and advice.
Stop It Now! Helpline: 0808 1000 900 (9am - 9pm Monday to Thursday and from 9am - 5pm on Friday)
Phone if you are worried about your own or someone else's behaviour toward children and young people.
Family Lives Helpline: 0808 800 222 (free from landline and most mobiles, 9am – 9pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday)
Phone if you would like support and advice on family issues.
MACSAS Helpline: 0808 801 0340 (free phone, Saturdays 9.00am - 11.30am and Wednesdays 7.00pm - 9.30pm)
Phone if you (or a relative) have been abused by a church officer.
Cruse Bereavement Care Helpline: 0808 808 1677 (free phone, Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5pm (excluding bank holidays), with extended hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, when lines are open until 8pm.)
Phone if you have been affected by a bereavement and would like emotional support.
Sources of support for victims and families of abuse
THE SURVIVORS TRUST - http://thesurvivorstrust.org/
SAFELINE - https://www.safeline.org.uk/
SUPPORT LINE - http://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/rape_sexual-assault.php
VICTIM SUPPORT - https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/childhood-abuse
Websites
www.nspcc.org.uk
www.womensaid.org.uk
www.restoredrelationships.org
www.stopitnow.org.uk
www.scie.org.uk
www.ceop.police.uk
www.elderabuse.org.uk
www.ageuk.org.uk
www.barnardos.org.uk
www.spiritualabuse.com
www.modernslavery.co.uk
https://carers.org/
Domestic Abuse Information and Support
Christian and Faith-Based Information and Support
The Association of Christian Counsellors’ (ACC)
The Association of Christian Counsellors’ (ACC) mission statement is to facilitate provision by Christians of quality counselling and pastoral care. Its functions include providing nationwide standards for Christian counselling and care. It also provides a nationwide system for the accreditation of Christian counsellors broadly acceptable to Christian churches, counselling organizations and the wider community. It is a body that represents Christian counsellors and develops relations with institutions such as the social services and health authorities, and with denominations and professional bodies. It encourages, trains and resources pastoral carers and Christian counsellors.
Address: 29 Momus Boulevard, Coventry, CV2 5NA
Tel: 0845 124 9569/0845 124 9570
The Churches Agency for Safeguarding (CAS)
The Churches Agency for Safeguarding’s (CAS) mission is to support Christian churches and organizations to maintain a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults by providing an efficient Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure support service, offering Appendices 55 safeguarding information and advice and influencing public policy on behalf of its members.
Address: Churches’ Agency for Safeguarding, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR
Tel: 020 7467 5216
Email: cas@methodistchurch.org.uk
Thirtyone:eight (formerly CCPAS)
Thirtyone:eight (formerly the Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service) is an independent Christian charity providing professional advice, CRB online and paper disclosure checks (CRB/ISA/AccessNI), support, training and resources in all areas of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and for those affected by abuse throughout the UK.
Address: Thirtyone:eight, PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ
Tel: 0303 003 11 11
Email: info@thirtyoneeight.org
The FaithTrust Institute
The FaithTrust Institute is a multi-faith, multicultural training and educational organization with global reach, working to end sexual and domestic violence. Founded in 1977 by the Revd Dr Marie M. Fortune, the FaithTrust Institute offers a wide range of services and resources, including training, consulting and educational materials.
Mailing address: 2414 SW Andover St, Suite D208, Seattle, WA 98106, USA
Tel: (206) 634-1903 (USA)
Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors (MACSAS)
MACSAS is a support group for women and men from Christian backgrounds who have been sexually abused by ministers or clergy, as children or as adults. It provides support for survivors who have remained within their Christian communities and for those who have left.
Address: BM MACSAS, London, WC1N 3XX
Email: enquiries@macsas.org.uk (for general enquiries)
Support helpline: 08088 01 03 40 (free phone, Saturdays 9.00am - 11.30am and Wednesdays 7.00pm - 9.30pm)
Support email: support@macsas.org.uk
Adult Information and Support
Directory and Books Service (DABS) - Support for Those Concerned with Abuse & Sexual Violence
Specialist book and information service for people who are overcoming childhood abuse, sexual abuse or domestic violence, and for those who live and work with them.
First Person Plural
First Person Plural is a small UK-wide registered charity led by abuse survivors with first-hand experience of complex dissociative distress.
Address: First Person Plural, PO Box 2537, Wolverhampton, WV4 4ZL, UK
Email: fpp@firstpersonplural.org.uk
Forced Marriage Unit
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage
The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) is a joint initiative between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office. Abroad, the FMU works with embassy staff to rescue individuals who may have been held captive, raped, forced into a marriage or into having an abortion. In the UK, the FMU assists actual and potential victims of forced marriage, as well as professionals working in the social, educational and health sectors.
Tel: 020 7008 0151
Email: fmu@fco.gov.uk
Izzy’s Promise
http://rans.org.uk/izzys-promise/
Izzy's Promise is a charity organization based in Dundee, Scotland that offers free and confidential support services to: ritual/organized abuse survivors; refugees; asylum seekers; ethnic minorities and people trafficked via rituals.
Tel: 01382 224737
Email: Available through a contact form on the website
Kidscape
Kidscape works UK-wide to provide individuals and organizations with practical skills and resources necessary to keep children safe from harm (specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse).
Address: Kidscape, 2 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W 0DH
Tel: 020 7730 3300
Parent Advice Line: 020 7823 5430 (Mon-Tues, 10am-5pm)
Email: info@kidscape.org.uk
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF)
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is a child protection charity committed to reducing the risk of children being sexually abused. LFF’s staff work with adult male and female sexual abusers; young people with inappropriate sexual behaviours; victims of abuse and other family members.
Address: 2 Birch House, Harris Business Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, B60 4DJ
Tel: 01527 591922
Email: contact@lucyfaithfull.org.uk
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
NAPAC is a registered charity, based in the UK, providing support and information for people abused in childhood.
Address: NAPAC, CAN Mezzanine, 7-14 Great Dover St, London, SE1 4YR
Email: Contact form available on website
Tel: (Support Line) 0808 801 0331
One in Four
One in Four offers a voice to and support for people who have experienced sexual abuse and sexual violence.
Address: OneinFour, 219 Bromley Road, Bellingham, London, SE6 2PG
Tel: 020 8697 2112
Email: admin@oneinfour.org.uk
Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors (PODS)
Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors (PODS) is a separate organization supported by First Person Plural. It offers a service for dissociative survivors of sexual or physical abuse. This includes (but is not limited to) those who have dissociative identity disorder (DID), whether formally diagnosed or not.
Address: PODS (Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors), 3 Archers Court, Huntingdon, PE29 6XG
Tel: 01480 878409 (office)
Helpline: 0800 181 4420
Email: info@pods-online.org.uk
Stop it Now! UK and Ireland
Stop it Now! UK and Ireland is a campaign, managed by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, which aims to prevent child sexual abuse by raising awareness and encouraging early recognition and responses to the problem by abusers themselves and those close to them. Stop it Now! believes sexual abuse is preventable and urges abusers and potential abusers to seek help and gives adults the information they need to protect children effectively. Stop it Now! encourages adults to create a society that no longer tolerates the sexual abuse of children.
Tel: (Helpline) 0808 1000 900
Email: Contact form available on website
The Trauma and Abuse Group (TAG)
The Trauma and Abuse Group (TAG) is a group studying and supporting work concerning trauma, abuse and dissociation. The group exists to provide information, support, training, encouragement and networking for counsellors, therapists, professional workers, carers and indeed anyone who is concerned or interested and any that are working with individuals who have suffered trauma and abuse.
Address: The Trauma and Abuse Group, The Willows Centre, 11 Prospect Place, Swindon, SN1 3LQ
Email: Contact form available on website
Children's Information and Support
AFRUCA – Africans Unite Against Child Abuse (UK)
AFRUCA is an organization concerned about cruelty against the African child.
Address: AFRUCA, Unit 3D/F, Leroy House, 436 Essex Road, London, N1 3QP
Tel: 0844 660 8607
Barnardos
Barnardos is the largest provider of child sexual exploitation support services in the UK. Staffed by qualified professionals, these services provide a safe and confidential environment where young people can go for help, advice and support. Specialist training is also provided to professionals so they know what signs to look out for.
Tel: 0208 550 8822
Childline
Childline is a free, confidential service for young people up to the age of 19. Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, talk to a counsellor online, send ChildLine an email or post on the message boards.
Helpline: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours)
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre is dedicated to eradicating the sexual abuse of children. It is part of UK policing, tracking and bringing offenders to account either directly or in partnership with local and international forces.
Address: Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, Citadel Pl, Lambeth, London SE11 5AN
Tel: 0870 000 3344
ECPAT UK - Every Child Protected Against Trafficking
ECPAT UK is active in research campaigning and lobbying government to prevent child exploitation and protect children in tourism and child victims of trafficking.
Address: ECPAT UK, Thomas Clarkson House, The Stable Yard, Broomgrove Road, London, SW9 9TL
Tel: 020 7607 2136
Email: info@ecpat.org.uk
Government information on safeguarding children
https://www.gov.uk/topic/schools-colleges-childrens-services/safeguarding-children
Please note that the Every Child Matters website has now been archived to the National Archives website. All relevant information from the Every Child Matters site has been placed on the children and young people section of the Department of Education website.
NSPCC
The NSPCC provides information on preventing child abuse. The website contains information about how to report abuse and provides helplines which are listed below.
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (For adults concerned about children)
Elderly Information and Support
Counselling services
The Association of Christian Counsellors’ (ACC)
www.acc-uk.org
The Association of Christian Counsellors’ (ACC) mission statement is to facilitate provision by Christians of quality counselling and pastoral care. Its functions include providing nationwide standards for Christian counselling and care. It also provides a nationwide system for the accreditation of Christian counsellors broadly acceptable to Christian churches, counselling organizations and the wider community. It is a body that represents Christian counsellors and develops relations with institutions such as the social services and health authorities, and with denominations and professional bodies. It encourages, trains and resources pastoral carers and Christian counsellors.
Tel: 0845 124 9569/0845 124 9570
Use this website to find a counsellor: https://www.acc-uk.org/find-a-counsellor/search-for-a-counsellor.html
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) works with large and small organizations within the sector, including advising schools on how to set up a counselling service, assisting the NHS on service provision, working with voluntary agencies and supporting independent practitioners. BACP also participates in the development of counselling and psychotherapy at an international level.
Use this website to find a counsellor or therapist: https://www.bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a membership organization with over 75 training and listing organizations, and over 6,600 individual practitioners. UKCP holds the national register of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. UKCP produces publications and runs meetings and conferences to inform and consult on issues of concern to practitioners and to support continuing professional development. UKCP works to improve access to psychological therapies, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards, and also deals with complaints against organizational members as well as individual members.
Use this website to find a therapist: https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/find-a-therapist/