We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the ARCH Benefice, particularly children and vulnerable adults.
What is abuse?
Abuse may take many forms including physical, emotional and sexual abuse; neglect; bullying (including cyber-bullying) and modern slavery.
A vulnerable person is someone who is permamently or temporarily unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation. Factors that increase vulnerability include:
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physical and/or sensory impairment or disabiliy
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learning disability
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physical illness
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mental ill health including dementia
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addiction to alcohol or drugs
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age (children and the elderly)
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life events such as bereavement, trauma or previous abuse
Who can I talk to?
If you have any concerns about your own or someone else's safety or wellbeing or would like to talk about an issue (including current or previous abuse) please contact any of the following:
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Revd Richard Thorniley: 01386 870527, rector@archbenefice.org.uk
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Jill Francis (benefice safeguarding officer): contact details can be found on the poster in the porch of each church in the benefice
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Hilary Higton (Diocese of Worcester safeguarding adviser): 07495 060869, hhigton@cofe-worcester.org.uk
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Delia Stokes (diocese assistant safeguarding adviser): 07376 374380, dstokes@cofe-worcester.org.uk
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Worcestershire County Council social care
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concerns about children: Family Front Door team 01905 822666
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concerns about adults:
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to report a concern: 01905 768053
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for advice on safeguarding: 01905 843189
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outside office hours (children and adults): emergency duty team 01905 768020
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Childline: 0800 1111
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NSPCC: 0808 800 5000, help@nspcc.org.uk or use their online form www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/report
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Age UK advice line: 0800 678 1602
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National Domestic Abuse helpline: 0808 2000 247
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LGBT+ Domestic Abuse helpline: 0800 999 5428, help@galop.org.uk or you can make on online referral via their website www.galop.org.uk/report
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Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327, info@mensadvicelink.org.uk
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Karma Nirvana national helpline for honour-based abuse and forced marriage: 0800 5999 247
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Victim Support national 24-hour support line: 0808 1689 111
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West Mercia Police police: 101 (non-emergency number)
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if it is an emergency: 999 and ask for the police
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if you are in danger and unable or afraid to speak on the phone, and calling from a mobile phone, call 999 then press 55 - this will connect you to the police who will assist you without you having to speak. This only works from a mobile phone
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he Diocese of Worcester has set up a Listening Service to help and support anyone who has been affected by sexual abuse. To access the service, please contact Richard Thorniley, Hilary Higton or Delia Stokes. Click here for a leaflet containing information on the Listening Service.
(To view the Listening Service leaflet you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader - follow this link to download a copy of Acrobat Reader.)