Safeguarding :: Adventist Church in UK and Ireland

Keeping Our Church Family Safe - Protection of Children and Adults at Risk of Harm

Seventh-day Adventists believe that safeguarding the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of the vulnerable is integral to practically demonstrating the grace of Christ in our churches and communities.

Family Ministries, Children's Ministries and the Secretariat Department oversee the implementation of the Church's safeguarding policy, Keeping Our Church Family Safe, to ensure best practice in the protection of children and adults at risk.

Keeping Our Church Family Safe awareness and 'Good Practice' training is organised at the local church level by the Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP).

The local Conference/Mission is responsible for the training of local church DSPs. Please contact your Conference/Mission for dates of training. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for all those who lead or volunteer for work with children and adults at risk. The local church DBS Clerk ensures that these checks are conducted. The local church DBS Clerk receives training and guidance from the Conference Executive Secretariat Department or from the BUC Executive Secretariat Department for the Missions.

The DSP and DBS Clerk are distinctive roles but in smaller churches, the role can be held by the same person.

HOW TO RESPOND TO POSSIBLE CONCERNS OF ABUSE

Helplines

Childline - 0800 1111
NSPCC - 0808 800 5000
Thirtyone:Eight (formally Churches Child Protection Advisory) - 0303 003 1111
Women's Aid - 0808 2000 247
ManKind Initiative - 01823 334 244
Men's Advice Line - 0808 801 0327

Safeguarding Agencies

Thirtyone:Eight (formally Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service)

Thirtyone:Eight is an independent Christian charity providing professional advice, training, support and resources in all areas of safeguarding children and adults at risk of harm. It exists to safeguard children and adults at risk throughout the UK. ThirtyOne:Eight also provides support for those who are or have been affected by abuse or harm. For more information, visit the Thirtyone:Eight website.

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)

NSPCC is the UK’s leading children's charity, specialising in child protection and dedicated to the fight for every child. NSPCC is the only UK children's charity with statutory powers which means, it can take action to safeguard children at risk of abuse. Visit the NSPCC website for more information.

Women's Aid

Women’s Aid is a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. It has been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic violence and abuse through practice for over 40 years. Women's Aid empowers survivors by keeping their voices at the heart of their work, working with and for women and children by listening to them and responding to their needs. Visit the Women's Aid website.

ManKind Initiative

The ManKind Initiative was the first charity in Great Britain to support male victims of domestic abuse (registered in 2001). For over 15 years they have been at the forefront of providing services and support for male victims and campaigning to ensure that male victims receive the support they need from other organisations. Visit the ManKind Initiative website.

Action on Elder Abuse (AEA)

Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) is a specialist organisation with a growing staff in all four nations of the UK. AEA focuses exclusively on the issue of elder abuse. AEA strives for a society which values older people and one in which they and other adults can live free from abuse perpetrated by those in whom they have an expectation of trust. Where such abuse occurs, they seek an environment in which it can be quickly identified and addressed. Visit the AEA website.

Online Course: Sexual Abuse, Reclaiming Hope

COURSE SUMMARY

The purpose of the 6-module course is to explore multiple aspects of sexual abuse including awareness, prevention, recognition, protection, investigation, advocacy, responsibilities, organizational supports, healing, and structural approaches to stem the tide of unfortunate and criminal activities within the Seventh-day Adventist faith community. Unfortunately, abuse, harassment, and misconduct happen. Much of this takes place with our most vulnerable faith community members, our children, and young adults. As a church organization, we are taking a stand to stop sexual abuse. There are many things that can be done to limit or stop these types of incidents in your faith community. But the first step is talking about it.

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THIS COURSE?

You will learn vital components of dealing with harassment and sexual abuse and discover empowering approaches to curb this type of behavior in your faith community. In addition, you will discover remediation and healing strategies to reclaim hope for sexual abuse victims and their faith communities. This course provides an extensive library of relevant resources in every module. Visit the Adventist Learning Community website to register for this free self-paced online course.

Resources

Domestic Abuse Presentation - Les Ackie
End It Now - Claudio & Pamela Consuegra
Domestic Abuse & the Church - Women's Aid Seminar
Spiritual Abuse Presentation - Les Ackie

Visit our Emotional Wellbeing page for a list of helpful organisations.