Reporting abuse

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger. Alternatively, please contact your diocesan safeguarding caseworker at safeguarding@rcdow.org.uk.

It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past or whether the accused person is living or deceased.

If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation or directly to the police.

If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to the safeguarding office in your diocese (the relevant Diocesan safeguarding office can be located using the interactive map on the links page of the CSSA website www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk – contact details will be shown when you click on the relevant area of the map). You can also contact CSSA by telephoning 0207 901 1920 or via email at admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk

Safeguarding in Our Parishes

The Catholic Church in England and Wales is striving towards a culture of safeguarding where all are safe from harm and abuse and where every person is encouraged and enabled to enjoy the fullness of life in Jesus Christ through the prayerful, caring, nurturing, supportive and protective endeavours of the Catholic community, both individually and collectively. (Source: CSSA)

The Catholic Church and its individual members will undertake appropriate steps to maintain a safe environment for all by practising fully and positively Christ’s Ministry towards children, young people and adults and responding sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm. This is demonstrated by the provision of carefully planned activities for children, young people and adults, caring for those hurt by abuse and ministering to and robustly managing those who have caused harm. (Source: CSSA)

Read more about CSSA

Across the 215 parishes of Westminster Diocese, there are currently about 275 PSRs (Parish Safeguarding Representatives) who are parishioners with a variety of professional backgrounds and who very generously volunteer in this role by offering some of their time and expertise to help with the implementation of good safeguarding practices. The role is performed with the ongoing support of the diocesan central safeguarding team; together and mutually, PSRs, the central safeguarding team and the parish priests aim at keeping everyone safe from harm and abuse with a particular focus on vulnerable groups (children and adults at risk).

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility if we wish to contribute to a better society for all.

For contacts and other information - visit the Diocese safeguarding page