The protection of children and vulnerable adults

One inescapable dimension of our current context as religious of the Society of Mary in the Church is that of the devastation caused to victims of sexual abuse. Some of our Marist confreres live in European countries where independent national commissions have reviewed the handling of cases by church authorities. No consideration of our reality today can avoid confronting the reality of what victims have suffered and the shadow it casts on us as a religious body. We feel for those amongst us who are burdened by this suffering in different ways.

We cannot move forward without both listening to victims and learning from them the impact these actions have on their lives. If we fail to acknowledge their experience and avoid taking responsibility for our own errors, we forfeit any credibility as religious. While we may be tempted to shy away from owning the whole truth of our past, it does not serve the Church nor the Society of Mary.

Protecting the vulnerable is a ministry and our mission. As we go forward, it remains paramount for us to “promote a safeguarding culture in our own houses, in our ministries, in our institutions and in all places where we work and where we are…” (GC2017, No. 40). The European Province is grateful to those lay and religious who carry responsibility for this ministry on our behalf. Each national unit is committed to following the national safeguarding guidelines of their country where we are present.

Safeguarding in England

The Society of Mary (Marist Fathers) is committed to safeguarding all children and adults. For Marist Fathers, this commitment directly relates to the fact that we are all made in the image of God and the Church’s common belief in the preciousness, dignity and uniqueness of every human life. We start from the principle that each person has a right to expect the highest level of protection, love, encouragement and respect.

Safeguarding children (children and young people under the age of 18) means to:
Protect children from abuse and maltreatment
Prevent harm to children’s health or development
Ensure children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
Take action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes
Adult at risk: An adult who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age, or illness, and who is or may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation

If you have a safeguarding concern for yourself or about someone else and it is an emergency please call the Police on 999.
If you would like to speak directly with the Marist Father’s safeguarding Team, you are welcome to call:

Marist Father’s Safeguarding lead, Brother Ivan on 01482 800 409 Monday to Friday If Br Ivan is not able to take your call immediately please leave a message and your phone number and he will return your call as soon as possible.
You are also welcome to write to Br. Ivan at safeguardingsmuk@gmail.com
Marist Father’s Safeguarding coordinator, Margaret Stevenson on 01482 800 409 Tuesdays – Thursdays 9am -4pm

Safeguarding Support organisations:

Religious Life Safeguarding Team (RLSS)
“Our service is built with Survivors at its centre. We know getting in contact with a service like ours can feel overwhelming so we are happy to speak with an advocate on your behalf if you would prefer.” Contact tel: 0151 5562311

Safe Spaces: a free, independent support service for anyone who has experienced abuse within the Church.
Offers confidential support, information, and advocacy to survivors of abuse.
Website: safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk

National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC): is the UK’s only dedicated national support service for adult survivors of all forms of childhood abuse. Our mission is to provide specialist, confidential support that empowers survivors to heal and thrive.
Tel: 0808 801 0331 Monday to Thursday: 10 AM – 9 PM; Friday: 10 AM – 6 PM; Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Website: NAPAC – Supporting Recovery From Childhood Abuse

National Domestic Abuse Helpline:
For women: Languages: English (call & chat); other languages available via interpretation services (call) 0808 2000 247
Phone hours: 24/7; Chat hours: Mon-Fri, 10AM – 10PM

For men: Languages: English; Phone hours: Mon-Fri, 10AM – 5PM; Chat hours: Wed, 10AM – 11:30AM; Thu, 2PM – 4PM; Call 0808 801 0327
Web site: https://mensadviceline.org.uk