Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk

Safeguarding is the shared responsibility of everyone to ensure the safety and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is also about ensuring the professional and safe behaviour of everyone who has a duty of care within our Catholic communities whether ordained or lay and whether in a paid or volunteer position. Safeguarding is not only a way to respond to harm but must be proactive in the prevention of any form of abuse or harm.

Abuse can take many forms and usually when someone is subjected to abuse more than one form is being used.

Types or forms of abuse include:

• Sexual
• Physical
• Emotional
• Domestic
• Spiritual
• Neglect
• Financial
• Ritual
• Female Genital Mutilation
• Rape
• Child Sex Exploitation
• Trafficking
• Grooming

The Bishop’s Conference has a mandatory Reporting Policy. All allegations of a criminal nature are immediately reported to the police. This applies whether the accused is alive or deceased. Allegations must in the first instance be reported to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser. If the Adviser is not available please ask to speak to a member of Safeguarding Team.

If anyone discloses an allegation to you always remember to follow this process:

Listen – Respond – Record – Refer