Image credit: Peter Wright, Thirtyone:eight
This month, we’re celebrating a significant milestone as the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Safeguarding in Faith Communities reaches its 5th anniversary.
The APPG, is a collective of faith leaders, survivors, MPs and experts who come together to address crucial issues surrounding safeguarding individuals within faith communities. The aim is that irrespective of their faith, people can feel and be safe within their faith community. This is the vision that the APPG have been dedicated to for half a decade.
Our Work
One of the most significant areas of focus for this group has been on safeguarding positions of trust within faith communities. These are roles where individuals are entrusted with the well-being of others, like a church pastor, vicar or youth leader. At the time law did not include protections for 16 and 17 year olds in faith communities, the APPG was successful in ensuring loopholes in existing law were closed.
In addition to its work on positions of trust, the APPG has worked hard to ensure victims and survivors of abuse, and those supporting them, have a platform to speak directly to Government. And they have been actively engaged in issues surrounding mandatory reporting, sex offender name change, abuse in religious communities research, and promoting survivor voices.
Leadership
While we serve as the administrative office (secretariat) for the APPG, the leadership is in the capable hands of Bishop Viv Faull and Ruth Jones MP, who serve as Co-Chairs. Their commitment is truly inspiring.
Bishop Viv Faull has expressed her thoughts, "The progress we've made over the last five years is indeed noteworthy. Through collective effort, we've addressed significant issues related to safeguarding in faith communities, with a particular emphasis on positions of trust. Our aim is to provide a sense of safety and care for everyone within faith communities."
Ruth Jones MP has also shared, "It has been a privilege to be part of this group. Safeguarding within faith communities is a cause we hold dear. We have tirelessly worked towards raising awareness, instituting positive changes, and extending support to survivors. We look ahead to the next five years with a deep sense of purpose."
The Future
The 5th anniversary serves as a milestone for the APPG, but also as a reminder of the work that remains to be done. The group remains committed to its mission to see through its recommendations to the Government following the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report. It looks forward to another five years of advocating for the safety and well-being of all individuals within faith
Justin Humphreys CEO of Thirtyone:eight says, “I first discussed the need for the APPG with Sarah Champion MP in 2018. It has been a privilege to work with parliamentarians on a range of safeguarding matters that affect faith communities since then. Faith settings are a unique network of support and services to all sorts of people and contexts. They haven't always demonstrated good safeguarding practice, which must be acknowledged, but they are often the unsung heroes when the country faces struggles. It is part of our aim to ensure this is recognised by policy-makers and government. Faith-based organisations have an incredible opportunity to create safer communities for all. With that opportunity comes great responsibility. We must play our part to ensure both are embraced if we are serious about safeguarding making a difference in people's lives.”
Get involved
The APPG for Safeguarding in Faith Communities welcomes expressions of interest from those who share its commitment to join them in their important work. For more information about the group and its activities, please follow us on Twitter @APPG_SafeFaith or for further information about the work of the APPG contact Leigh on [email protected]