Victim Support has been awarded the contract to manage the new flagship project: Safe Spaces, a joint Anglican and Catholic Church project to provide a vital support service for survivors of church-related abuse.

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England or the Catholic Church of England and Wales.

Safe Spaces comprises a team of trained support advocates who have undergone specialist training in supporting survivors of sexual violence (ISVAs).  They have also received additional specific training in how the churches respond to abuse cases, the way in which faith and church-related settings have been used to carry out abuse, and the particular issues affecting people who have had or still have, a relationship with the church.

The team are based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, but it is a national service providing remote support through our helpline, live chat service and website. Remote support is provided for as long as the survivor needs.  This can be advocating for the survivor, giving them support, providing information (including information on church and police procedures), understanding individual needs and jointly working on individual support plans.  If face-to-face support is also required, contact and referrals will be made with appropriate local organisations depending on need.

You can contact the Safe Spaces team using a variety of methods, according to the needs and preferences of survivors:
Website – with secure web referral form www.SafeSpacesEnglandandWales.org.uk
Phone - 0300 303 1056 (a voicemail facility is available outside of opening times)
Email - [email protected]
LiveChat - via our website www.SafeSpacesEnglandandWales.org.uk