Help for victims and survivors
Information for victims and survivors of abuse in churches and Christian organisations
This information has been drawn up for readers of the Cambridge Paper entitled ‘Abuse within Evangelical Churches and Organisations: Addressing the Vulnerabilities’ who may have been affected by the issues raised in this paper. Cambridge Papers Limited is unable to recommend any individual organisation, counsellor or resource, not least because it is impossible for us to know what might be appropriate for you and your situation. However, we list below a number of established organisations, many but not all of which are Christian organisations. While we cannot accept any responsibility for the content of their websites, or the quality of their services, we hope the following information may prove helpful as you look to take your next steps.
Christian counsellors
The Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) aims to facilitate and support the provision by Christians of quality counselling and pastoral care. Its website contains a directory of Christian counsellors and, while these will vary in approach and accessibility, you may be able to find a suitable counsellor via ACC.
Website: www.acc-uk.org
Telephone: 024 7644 9694
Organisations
ACC has drawn up a list of organisations which may be of help in a wide range of personal situations. Their list (available here www.acc-uk.org/find-professional-support/helpful-resources/) includes organisations which offer support to victims and survivors of abuse such as:
- Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors (MACSAS)(macsas.org.uk)
- Restored (restored-uk.org)
- Safe Spaces (safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk)
- The Survivors Trust (thesurvivorstrust.org).
Resources
Biblical Counselling UK (www.bcuk.org) has made available a suite of resources on issues which arise in connection with ‘trauma’ and ‘hurt at church’ which you can reach via these links:
- Trauma: bcuk.org/resources-trauma/
- Hurt at church: bcuk.org/resources-hurt-at-church/
Several of these resources are directed primarily at those who wish to offer support and pastoral care but may nonetheless be of value to some victims and survivors.