Last updated 23rd January 2026
Hope begins with being heard
Our Diocese is committed to being a place of safety, healing, and hope. We recognise the pain that victims and survivors of abuse have endured, and we acknowledge the courage it takes to speak out and seek support. Whether your experience is recent or from many years ago, you are not alone, and your voice matters.
This page has been created to offer clear information, compassionate guidance, and accessible pathways to help. Here you will find details on how to report abuse, the support available to you, and the steps the Diocese continues to take to ensure that our communities are safe for all.
We are dedicated to listening, learning, and walking alongside survivors with humility and respect. If you are reaching out today, please know that we are here to support you with care, confidentiality, and a commitment to restorative action.
A video from the NST (National Safeguarding Team) co-produced by survivors and safeguarding professionals, outlining support options can be found below:
The Church of England webpage provides further information on Responding well to Victims and Survivors.
Support available to me ?
If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical attention, call 999.
If the situation is not an emergency, reach out to our team by emailing safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
If you are worried about someone and want to raise a concern or make a self referral, please contact your complete the reporting form and email safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
The National Safeguarding Team manages safeguarding cases relating to senior clergy including archbishops, bishops and deans. Contact safeguarding@churchofengland.org and complete the referral form.
Safe Spaces is an independent, confidential, and free service offering support to anyone who has experienced abuse connected to the Church of England, the Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church in England and Wales. You can reach the Safe Spaces team by calling their helpline on 0300 303 1056, using their live chat service, or emailing them at safespaces@firstlight.org.uk.
The Church of England’s Interim Support Scheme offers immediate help and support to survivors whose life circumstances are significantly affected by the abuse suffered, and the response to it.
MACSAS offers support to adults—both women and men—who have experienced sexual abuse, whether in childhood or later in life, perpetrated by ministers, clergy, or others acting in the name of the Church. They assist survivors who choose to remain within their Christian communities as well as those who have chosen to leave.
Survivors Voices is a survivor‑led organisation that provides peer‑support groups for victim‑survivors of all forms of abuse, including abuse connected to faith settings. They also share a regular newsletter and host events specifically for those who have experienced abuse within churches or other faith‑based communities.
Action on Spiritual Abuse (formerly Replenished Life) is an independent charity offering practical guidance and support to individuals who have faced abuse or trauma within faith contexts or faith‑related organisations, providing a range of tailored options.
Thirtyone:eight is an independent, non‑denominational Christian safeguarding charity supporting more than 10,000 organisations across the UK. Their aim is to help create safer environments for everyone, and they offer an open‑access safeguarding helpline as part of their support.
External further support
There are several charities and organisations that provide support to victims and survivors of all forms of abuse outside normal office hours, offering either 24‑hour assistance or specialist helplines:
Age UK is the leading charity supporting older people. Their advice line is available every day of the year from 8am–7pm on 0800 678 1602.
Childline offers a free, confidential service for anyone under 19 who needs help with any concern. Young people can speak with a counsellor by calling 0800 1111, sending an email, or using their 1‑to‑1 online chat.
Hourglass (formerly Action on Elder Abuse) works to prevent and address the abuse of older people. Their helpline is 0808 808 8141, and they can also be contacted via helpline@wearehourglass.org.
If you are concerned about a child or young person, the NSPCC Helpline provides free advice and support on 0808 800 5000.
There are several services offering help to anyone affected by sexual assault, rape, or sexual abuse, including Rape Crisis, Women’s Aid, Victim Support, The Survivors Trust, and the Male Survivors Partnership.
Refuge runs a 24‑hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline for women experiencing domestic abuse or other forms of gender‑based violence. The number is 0808 2000 247.
Samaritans are available around the clock for anyone feeling overwhelmed or in need of someone to listen without judgement. You can call them free on 116 123.
If you identify as LGBT+ and have experienced abuse or violence, you can contact Galop, the LGBT+ anti‑abuse charity, on 0800 999 5428 for both emotional and practical support.
Men experiencing domestic abuse can reach out to the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or to ManKind on 0182 3334 244 for confidential, non‑judgemental support.
NAPAC supports adults recovering from childhood abuse. Their free and confidential support line is 0808 801 0331.
Victims and Survivors Consultative Group
The Victims and Survivors Consultative Group exists to ensure that the voices and experiences of those affected by abuse are heard at the heart of our diocesan life. Formed in a spirit of humility, accountability, and learning, the group works alongside diocesan leadership to help shape safeguarding practice, strengthen support pathways, and foster a culture rooted in truth, compassion, and safety.
Members bring lived experience, insight, and a deep commitment to helping the Church become a safer and more trustworthy place. Their perspectives guide policy, inform training, and challenge us to grow in transparency and care.
We also recognise that the impact of abuse extends beyond individuals. Family members often carry their own experiences of pain, concern, and long-term effects. For this reason, we warmly welcome family members of victims and survivors to take part in the group. Their voices are invaluable, and their presence helps ensure that our understanding and decision‑making reflect the broader reality of those who have been affected.
This group stands as a reminder that safeguarding is not only a set of procedures but a shared journey. Through open dialogue, mutual respect, and a willingness to listen and learn, we seek to build a Diocese where every person is protected, valued, and supported to flourish.
If you have any interest in joining this group or just wish to find out more, please email safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org