Safeguarding parish policy for responding to domestic abuse

Parish Policy for

Responding to Domestic Abuse

Parish of St Paul’s Church Blackheath

Agreed by the Parish Church Council on 15th July 2020

All forms of domestic abuse are wrong

and must stop.

We are committed to promoting and supporting environments which:

• Ensure that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse;

• Protect those vulnerable to domestic abuse from actual or potential harm;

• Recognize equality amongst people and within relationships;

• Enable and encourage concerns to be raised and responded to appropriately and consistently.

We recognize that:

• all forms of domestic abuse cause damage to the survivor and express an imbalance of power in the relationship;

• all survivors (regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity) have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse;

• domestic abuse can occur in all communities;

• domestic abuse may be a single incident, but is usually a systematic, repeated pattern which escalates in severity and frequency;

• domestic abuse, if witnessed or overheard by a child, is a form of abuse by the perpetrator of the abusive behaviour;

• working in partnership with children, adults and other agencies is essential in promoting the welfare of any child or adult suffering abuse.

We will endeavour to respond to domestic abuse by:

In all our activities – valuing, listening to and respecting both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.

In our publicity – raising awareness about other agencies, support services, resources and expertise, through providing information in public and women-only areas of relevance to survivors, children and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.

When concerns are raised – ensuring that those who have experienced abuse can find safety and informed help and working with the appropriate statutory bodies during an investigation into domestic abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church community.

In our care – ensuring that informed and appropriate pastoral care is offered to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse and identifying and outlining the appropriate relationship of those with pastoral care responsibilities with both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.

If you have any concerns or need to talk to anyone

please contact:

 Mrs Mary Evans Licensed Reader 0121 561 3891 

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Other Useful Contacts:

Bishop’s Safeguarding Adviser 07342 993 844

National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247

Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid 0808 800 0028

West Mercia Women’s Aid 0800 980 3331

Staffordshire Women’s Aid 0870 2700 123

Black Country Women’s Aid 0121 552 6448

Men’s Advice Line 0808 801 0327

Galop (LGBT) 0800 999 5428

Action on Elder Abuse 0808 808 8141