Safe Spaces is a joint project of the Church of England and Catholic Church in England and Wales 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 in England and Wales.
0300 303 1056
Mon – Fri 9am – 9pm, Sat 9am – 1pm, Sun 1pm – 5pm
You can email: SafeSpaces@Firstlight.org.uk
Please visit: safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Mon – Fri 9am – 9pm, Sat 9am – 1pm, Sun 1pm – 5pm. The team responds as soon as possible during opening hours.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Bishop Paul Mason, Lead Bishop on Safeguarding:
“Safe Spaces, a joint Catholic and Anglican initiative, is the fruit of an ongoing collaboration between the churches who wish to reach out to and support those who have experienced such abuse.
“This service is dedicated to the support and accompaniment of those who have suffered abuse within the Church, and will complement the existing support services within the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
“Safe Spaces offers support to victims of abuse, support which not only puts victims first but which is also informed by their experience. It helps us to hear and respond in a more concrete way to their needs.”
Safe Spaces is completely independent from the Church. It was created so that people affected by church-related abuse can access support without fear of bias, influence, or pressure.
First Light is the current service operator of Safe Spaces. It is a leading charity supporting and empowering survivors of sexual violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, domestic abuse and church-related abuse.
They provide compassionate, inclusive, and specialist help to anyone affected, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, or background.
They listen to survivors without judgement and work alongside them to find the most appropriate support.
Members of the First Light team aim to improve the response to victims of church-related abuse, and sit on a number of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panels and Safeguarding Subgroups.
