Opening Times: Monday – Friday: 9am-9pm | Saturday: 9am-1pm | Sunday: 1pm-5pm 

Request Support

Make a Referral

Opening Times: Monday – Friday: 9am-9pm | Saturday: 9am-1pm | Sunday: 1pm-5pm 

Request a Call
Make a Referral

Category: About

Eligibility for Support

Posted on by Mark Lucking

Safe Spaces is here to support people who have experienced church‑related abuse within the Church of England, Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

This page explains who is eligible, how we assess referrals, and what to expect.

 

Who We Support

You may be eligible for Safe Spaces if:

✔ You have experienced harm

This includes physical, mental, emotional harm, or financial loss directly caused by behaviour that may be a criminal offence.
(As defined by the Victims’ Code.)

✔ The harm happened in connection with:

  • The Church of England
  • The Church in Wales
  • The Catholic Church in England and Wales

✔ You are over 18

Safe Spaces supports adults aged 18+. Eligibility is based on your age today, not the age you were when the abuse occurred. We are here for adults who experienced abuse as children or as adults

 

Eligibility Assessment

Every referral is reviewed individually.

If someone does not meet the criteria, Safe Spaces will always try to signpost them to other suitable services.

Our framework ensures the service focuses on people affected by church‑related abuse, including cases where the person who caused harm is now deceased.
All questions about eligibility are considered case by case in line with our policy.

 

Victims’ Code Definition of a Victim

“A person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss which was directly caused by a criminal offence.”

 

Who Is Not Eligible

To maintain the specialist purpose of Safe Spaces, we cannot support:

✖ Church staff or volunteers

If the issue relates only to:

  • Employment matters
  • Internal conduct concerns that do not reach a criminal threshold
  • Grievances
  • Workplace bullying or harassment unrelated to criminal abuse
  • Other HR‑related issues

✖ Internal church disputes

Complaints handled through:

  • HR processes
  • Whistleblowing
  • Disciplinary procedures
    that do not involve allegations of abuse within the scope of Safe Spaces.

These situations should be addressed through the Church’s HR or employment dispute channels.

✔ What is still eligible

If abuse happened within a church employment or voluntary role and involves criminal conduct (e.g., sexual assault, coercion, violence), the person may still be eligible.
Such cases are reviewed individually.

 

Support for Vulnerable Victims

Some people may need extra support.
A person may be considered vulnerable under the Victims’ Code if they:

  • Are under 18
    (note: Safe Spaces supports adults 18+ only)
  • Have a mental health condition or learning disability
  • Have a physical disability or illness that affects their ability to access support
  • Feel significant fear or distress because of the abuse
  • Have communication difficulties or other barriers to accessing help

Safe Spaces will make reasonable adjustments to ensure support is accessible, safe, and trauma‑informed.

 

Safety and Conduct

Safe Spaces has a duty to protect everyone using the service, as well as staff.
We may restrict or remove access if someone:

  • Does not meet eligibility criteria
  • Acts abusively or harasses staff
  • Displays inappropriate or harmful behaviour

Our priority is to maintain a supportive and safe environment for all service users.

 

Safe Spaces Survivor Advocates

Posted on by Mark Lucking

Independent support for survivors of church-related abuse

The Safe Spaces Survivor Advocates provide confidential, trauma-informed support to adults who have experienced abuse within the Church of England, Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church. This specialist role offers emotional support, practical guidance, and advocacy to help survivors navigate complex systems and find a path toward justice and healing.

What to Expect

Survivors accessing this service can expect:

  • A compassionate, independent advocate who understands the unique challenges of church-related abuse
  • A safe, confidential space to talk about their experiences
  • Support via phone, email, video call, or text, tailored to individual preferences
  • Help navigating church safeguarding procedures, complaints processes, and justice pathways
  • Advocacy with church officials, safeguarding teams, and external agencies
  • Access to peer support and out-of-hours helpline services

Advocates work flexibly and sensitively, recognising the emotional impact of abuse and the importance of survivor-led support.

Why People Access This Service

Individuals may seek support from a Safe Spaces Survivor Advocate if:

  • They have experienced abuse in a church setting and want to be heard and believed
  • They are unsure how to report or navigate church safeguarding systems
  • They need emotional support, advocacy, or help accessing therapeutic services
  • They feel overwhelmed, isolated, or retraumatised by previous attempts to seek justice

Advocates provide clear, honest answers and empower survivors to make informed decisions.

How This Helps

Support from a Safe Spaces Survivor Advocate can help survivors:

  • Feel validated, heard, and supported
  • Navigate complex systems with confidence
  • Access justice, whether through church processes or external routes
  • Rebuild trust and regain a sense of control
  • Connect with others through peer support

The service is designed to meet survivors where they are, emotionally, spiritually, and practically, and walk alongside them at their own pace.

Safe Spaces Advisors

Posted on by Mark Lucking

Independent, trauma-informed support for survivors of church-related abuse

Safe Spaces Advisors provide confidential, compassionate support to adults who have experienced abuse within the Church of England, Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church. Whether the harm occurred recently or many years ago, advisors offer a safe space to talk, explore options, and receive practical and emotional support tailored to each individual’s needs.

What to Expect

Survivors accessing the Safe Spaces service can expect:

  • A non-judgemental, independent advisor who understands the complexities of church-related abuse
  • Support via phone, email, video call, or text, based on personal preference
  • Help navigating church safeguarding procedures, complaints processes, and justice pathways
  • Advocacy with church officials, safeguarding teams, and external agencies
  • Access to peer support and an out-of-hours helpline
  • Regular reviews of support plans to ensure needs are being met

Advisors work flexibly and sensitively, recognising the emotional impact of abuse and the importance of survivor-led support.

Why People Access This Service

Individuals may seek support from a Safe Spaces Advisor if:

  • They have experienced abuse in a church setting and want to be heard and believed
  • They are unsure how to report or navigate church safeguarding systems
  • They need emotional support, advocacy, or help accessing therapeutic services
  • They feel overwhelmed, isolated, or retraumatised by previous attempts to seek justice

Safe Spaces Advisors provide clear, honest answers and empower survivors to make informed decisions.

How This Helps

Support from a Safe Spaces Advisor can help survivors:

  • Feel validated, heard, and supported
  • Navigate complex systems with confidence
  • Access justice, whether through church processes or external routes
  • Rebuild trust and regain a sense of control
  • Connect with others through peer support

The service is designed to meet survivors where they are, emotionally, spiritually, and practically, and walk alongside them at their own pace.

 

About Safe Spaces England and Wales

Posted on by Mark Lucking

Safe Spaces England and Wales (SSEW) is a charitable company responsible for the governance and oversight of the Safe Spaces service.

SSEW has contracted First Light to deliver the Safe Spaces service under a three-year contract running from January 2023 to January 2026. This has now been extended for an additional year until 2027.

Why SSEW was established

SSEW was formed by the Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England and the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

It was established as a separate registered charity and company to ensure complete independence from the Church, creating an independent service for victims and survivors.

The Board of Safe Spaces England and Wales

SSEW is governed by an independent Board.

The Board is led by the Chair and includes five additional Directors.

The role of Chair or Deputy Chair is always offered to the independent lived‑experience trustees to ensure greater independence.

The Directors:

  • provide strategic direction and oversight

  • are legally responsible for the activities of SSEW

  • hold decision-making responsibility for the charitable company

The Board does not deliver the Safe Spaces service or have contact with individual clients.

The Safe Spaces Advisory Committee (SSAC)

The SSEW Directors are supported by the Safe Spaces Advisory Committee (SSAC).

The SSAC brings together key stakeholders to provide operational advice relating to the day-to-day activities of SSEW.
Directors may take this advice into account when making decisions.

The SSAC includes:

  • Non-Executive Directors / Experts by Experience (Professionals from sectors such as Education, Adult Social Care, Local Government, Church of England Ministry, and the NHS, who also bring valuable lived experience.)

  • Safeguarding professionals

  • Legal advisers

  • Financial advisers

  • Communications advisers

SSEW Directors

The current Directors of Safe Spaces England and Wales are:

  • Dr Jamie Harrison
    Member of the Archbishops’ Council and Chair of the House of Laity, Church of England

  • Rt Rev Paul Mason
    Bishop of the Forces, Catholic Church in England and Wales

  • Paul McCallum
    Chief Operating Officer, Archdiocese of Southwark, Catholic Church in England and Wales

  • Rt Rev Julie Conalty
    Bishop of Birkenhead, Church of England

  • Craig Russo
    Independent mental health and wellbeing expert

Funding

The Safe Spaces service is funded by:

  • The Archbishops’ Council (Church of England)

  • The Catholic Church in England and Wales

SSEW also receives additional funding from the Archbishops’ Council and the Catholic Church in England and Wales to cover the core running costs of the charitable company.

Oversight and evaluation of the Safe Spaces service

Representatives from:

  • The Church of England Archbishops Council

  • The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS)

sit on the Safe Spaces Advisory Committee.

These representatives meet regularly with First Light, on behalf of the SSEW Directors, as part of the contract monitoring process.

The SSEW Directors meet regularly with the SSAC to review service data and reports relating to the Safe Spaces service.

SSEW has appointed Rocket Science as the independent evaluator of the Safe Spaces service. Rocket Science provides regular updates to the Board, and evaluation findings will be published.