Parish of St Andrew & St George Stevenage
Policy for Responding to Domestic Abuse
All forms of domestic
abuse are wrong and must stop. 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 by:
In all
our activities –
•
valuing,
listening to and respecting both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of
domestic abuse.
In our
publicity –
•
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 –
•
ensuring that
those who have experienced abuse can find safety and informed help;
•
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 –
•
ensuring that
informed and appropriate pastoral care is offered to any child, young person or
adult who has suffered abuse;
•
identifying and
outlining the appropriate relationship of those with pastoral care
responsibilities with both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of
domestic abuse.
If you have any concerns or need to
talk to any one please contact …………
Rector – The Reverend
Karen Mitchell 07596374372
Parish Safeguarding
Officer – Mike Wilson 07562 082509
Stevenage Borough
Council – Domestic Abuse Service – 01438 242666
Herts Domestic Abuse
Helpline – 08 088 088 088
In an Emergency call 999
Approved by the
PCC 17th JULY 2023