If you have concerns about any kind of abuse or issues relating to safeguarding, please do speak to someone.
Contact the St Stephen's Parish Safeguarding Officer by email.
Contact Matt the vicar by email or phone 0151 608 1808.
Contact the Chester Diocese Safeguarding Adviser by email or phone 07704 338885 (available during office hours).
If you or anyone you are in contact with would like to talk with someone independently, please contact the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or via email.
For more information see the Diocesan website safeguarding page.
How to get help
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In an emergency always telephone 999
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If you need help to deal with domestic abuse or violence you can contact the Family Safety Unit on 0151 666 4914, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
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National 24 Hour Domestic Abuse helpline - call free on 0808 2000 247 National Domestic Violence Helpline website
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For signposting and information on how to get support for yourself or a loved one in Wirral visit itsneverokwirral.org.
For other ways to get help locally, visit the Wirral council Domestic Abuse page.
Parish statement on domestic abuse
All forms of domestic abuse are wrong and must stop. At St Stephen's Church Prenton we are committed to promoting and supporting environments which:
• ensure that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse;
• protect those vulnerable to domestic abuse from actual or potential harm;
• recognise equality amongst people and within relationships;
• enable and encourage concerns to be raised and responded to appropriately and consistently.
We recognise that:
• all forms of domestic abuse cause damage to the survivor and express an imbalance of power in the relationship;
• all survivors (regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity) have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse;
• domestic abuse can occur in all communities;
• domestic abuse may be a single incident, but is usually a systematic, repeated pattern which escalates in severity and frequency;
• domestic abuse, if witnessed or overheard by a child, is a form of abuse by the perpetrator of the abusive behaviour;
• working in partnership with children, adults and other agencies is essential in promoting the welfare of any child or adult suffering abuse.
We will endeavour to respond to domestic abuse:
In all our activities
• by valuing, listening to and respecting both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.
In our publicity
• by raising awareness about other agencies, support services, resources and expertise, through providing information in public and women-only areas of relevance to survivors, children and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.
When concerns are raised
• by ensuring that those who have experienced abuse can find safety and informed help;
• by working with the appropriate statutory bodies during an investigation into domestic abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church community.
In our care
• by ensuring that informed and appropriate pastoral care is offered to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse;
• by identifying and outlining the appropriate relationship of those with pastoral care responsibilities with both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.