Starting on Monday 14th November and running until Friday 18th November, Ely Cathedral and the Diocese of Ely will be marking a “Season of Safeguarding”.
Throughout the week, there will be a series of events that will focus on, and raise awareness of, a wide-ranging number of safeguarding issues that affect all of our communities.
The week will bring together presentations from a wide range of organisations that offer advice and support for victims and survivors of harm and abuse. These include the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Service, Independent Domestic Violence Advisory Service (IDVA), Survivors Voices, Hate Crime Awareness, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Local Safeguarding Partnership Board and the Clewer Initiative.
The Ven Richard Harlow, Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech, will also be giving a webinar on A Theology of Safeguarding, and throughout the week there will be a LOUDfence installation at the Cathedral as a visible display of support and solidarity with those affected by abuse. Visitors will be able to tie ribbons to the fence to represent the voices of those who wish to speak out in support and defence of those affected by abuse. Those unable to attend in person will also be able to submit a ‘virtual ribbon’ via the link below.
The Rt Revd Dr Dagmar Winter, Bishop of Huntingdon, says of Season of Safeguarding: "A commitment to safeguarding is at the heart of the Gospel. Jesus was quick to spot and care for those who were disregarded and with little power or influence in the community, recognizing them as God’s children.
Safeguarding is relevant to every one of us, helping us to grow in our awareness of others as in our own self-awareness. Anyone of us can so easily fall into the trap of causing or allowing harm unintentionally by not listening, not speaking up or by speaking from an unreflected position of power or privilege which disregards someone else’s experience.
This Safeguarding season is a wonderful opportunity to encourage one another “to grow into the full stature of Christ” (Eph 4:13).
The week’s schedule of activities and how to book your place
Please note that you will need to book onto each Zoom webinar you wish to attend in order to receive the Zoom access details for each session.
Monday 14th November
Launch of Safeguarding Season with the Dean of Ely and the Bishop of Huntingdon and the opening of the LOUDfence installation
- Launch of Safeguarding Season
- Time: 10am (14th November at Ely Cathedral) - All are welcome to attend
- Location: Ely Cathedral
- Opening of the LOUDfence installation
- The LOUDfence installation will open at 10am, supported by representatives from Survivors Voices and the Diocese of Ely Safeguarding Team throughout the day until 4pm. The installation will then remain in place for the duration of the week, closing at 4pm on Friday 18th November.
- Time: 10am-4pm
- The LOUDfence installation will be a visible display of support and solidarity with those affected by abuse. Visitors will be able to tie ribbons to the fence to represent the voices of those who wish to speak out in support and defence of those affected by abuse. Those unable to attend in person are able to submit a ‘virtual ribbon’ for the LOUDfence installation and a member of the Team will ensure it is reproduced and added to the LOUDfence.
- Please submit you "Virtual ribbon" by clicking here.
Tuesday 15th November
Webinar: Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Service.
- Time: 10am-11.30pm (15 November)
- Introduction: What to do if you are concerned about someone?
- Facilitator: A free webinar facilitated by Vickie Crompton from the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Group.
- Book your free place to receive your Zoom access details here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gSchf80gREih7GBxPQsrsA
Webinar: Understanding the role of the Independent Domestic Violence Advisory Service (IDVA)
- Time: 2pm-3.30pm (15th November)
- Introduction: Insight into the role of the IDVA and how they can support male and female domestic abuse victims and survivors.
- Facilitator: Deirdre Reed, IDVA Operational Manager/MARAC Chair.
- Book your free place to receive your Zoom access details here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_csdfaXCsThCn9T7UobHmbA
Wednesday 16th November
Webinar: Survivors Voices - How to be a trustworthy and trauma-sensitive recipient of disclosure and offer a safe space to be heard, seen and supported.
- Time: 10am-11.30am (Wednesday 16 November)
- Introduction: Explore the experience of disclosure from a survivor’s perspective. By understanding trauma responses to abuse, we can identify ways to hold a safe space for victims to disclose. We’ll look at the importance of connection and co-regulation, so that we can recognise disclosure and respond well to victim-survivors.
- Facilitator: Jane Chevous, a survivor of child abuse, sexual exploitation and clergy abuse. A writer, activist, researcher and educator, she uses her lived and professional experience to lead Survivors Voices, a survivor-led organisation which turns the pain of abuse into the power to transform society’s response to trauma. A qualified youth and community worker, social worker and lifelong learning teacher with 40+ years’ experience in statutory, voluntary and faith sectors, she has just completed an MSc in Mental Health Recovery and Social Inclusion. Jane is one of the survivor representatives on the Church of England National Safeguarding Panel.
- Book your free place to receive your Zoom access details here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HUQDvG4iThaCBEZsdBxa6Q
Webinar: Hate Crime Awareness
- Time: 2.30pm – 4pm (Wednesday 16 November)
- Introduction: Learn about what Hate crime is, how it effects individuals and communities and why it is so important to report it.
- Facilitator: Action Against Hate Coordinator for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Tiff Lane
- Book your free place to receive your Zoom access details here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Xg0LaJRPSpmM6lwt09sJoA
Thursday 17th November
Webinar: Working Together to Safeguarding Children and Adults - looking at the priorities of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Boards
- Time: 10am – 11.30am (17 November 2022)
- Introduction: In this session, we will discuss the priorities set by the Adults and Children’s Safeguarding Partnership Boards for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We will also look at learning from local safeguarding case reviews, to highlight tools and messages gleaned from case reviews that can help us to work together to safeguard members of our local communities.
- Facilitator: Elizabeth Locke - Trainer
- Book your free place to receive your Zoom access details here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KOr7yb7KQzmxTe01sl6lWQ
Webinar: A Theology of Safeguarding
- Time: 2pm – 3.30pm (17 November 2022)
- Introduction: Theology is about how we see the world – our vision and perspective in the light of Jesus Christ. Archdeacon Richard will explore how our practice has changed and yet holds the same intention as our forebears: to treat others as we would be treated by them. We will also explore issues ranging from forgiveness & reconciliation to redress & discipline.
- Facilitator: The Ven Richard Harlow, Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech.
- Book your free place to receive your Zoom access details here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1utraMn6Rey61cKVNNdfAg
Friday 18th November 2022
Webinar: Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults who are potential victims of Modern Slavery and Exploitation
- Time: 10am – 11.30am (18 November 2022)
- Introduction: Presentation by The Clewer Initiative using film and up to date case studies which will lead to a greater understanding of the church’s interaction with potential victims.
- Facilitator: Caroline Virgo, Director, The Clewer Initiative and Helen Styles
- Book your free place to receive your Zoom access details here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cVBnuTV9Q2eGGERi1LH2MQ
Webinar: Spiritual Abuse – Responding well
- Time: 1pm- 2pm (18 November 2022)
- Introduction: A video recording by Dr Lisa Oakley, Associate Professor in Applied Psychology, University of Chester.
The presentation will look at, what is spiritual abuse, what is the impact of the experience and the features of a good response.
Safeguarding team present – Lisa, Sarah and Rebecca - Book your free place to receive your Zoom access details here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zNtCzCveQUyfra7uf2zWAg
Further Support
The Cathedral and Diocesan teams are particularly mindful that much of what will be discussed and shared during this week of reflection and prayer will be challenging for some attending.
If you or anyone you know is affected by these or similar issues, do please remember that there is support from a number of organisations to help. More about these can be found on the Diocesan website here.