Our parish of Needham Market w Badley: St John the Baptist is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese of St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO.

If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the PSO Ruth Coomber on [email protected] or 07904 703728 or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor Karen Galloway (07785621319)/Shelley Thomas- Assistant Safeguarding Officer (07795974734), their email is [email protected]. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.

Further information can be found on the diocesan website Promoting a safer church - Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.

There are Local & National Abuse Support Networks available that might be helpful:

Local
Lighthouse Women’s Aid
lighthousewa.org.uk
Lighthouse Women’s Aid is based in Ipswich and provides emotional support to women, young people and children experiencing domestic abuse in their personal or family relationships.

Anglia Care Trust
angliacaretrust.org.uk
ACT provide a variety of services including: Community Safety – helping people to feel safe; Housing Services – helping people to keep a roof over their heads; Advice, Guidance and Advocacy – helping people to be heard leewaysupport.org

Leeway
leewaysupport.org
Leeway is an independent charity providing support to adults, young people and children who are experiencing domestic abuse in Norfolk and Suffolk.

The Ferns
theferns-suffolk.org.uk
The Ferns is a SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre). They offer medical care and emotional support to any victim of rape and sexual assault. 24hr Helpline: 0300 123 5058

Suffolk Rape Crisis
Local support and confidential advice for women who have experienced rape or sexual assault. Helpline is open Tues and Thurs, 7pm – 9pm: 0800 0850 520

National

Women’s Aid is a national grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services in England and build a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
Burystedmundswomensaid.org.uk

National Domestic Violence Helpline 24/7: 0808 2000 247 - the helpline can provide confidential advice for women experiencing domestic abuse, or others calling on their behalf.
nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

nspcc.org.uk
If you are an adult and you have concerns about a child, you can get free, confidential advice by calling the NSPCC Helpline, available 24hrs a day: 0808 800 5000

galop.org.uk
Galop is the national domestic violence charity for LGBTQ+ people, offering advice, support and referral services. Helpline: 0800 9995428

samaritans.org
The Samaritans offer listening and support to people and communities in times of need. They are there day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. Helpline: 116 123

mankind.org.uk
The Mankind Initiative is the principal, expert and specialist charity in the UK focusing on male victims of domestic abuse. Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence:
01823 334244

ChildLine is a national counselling service for children and young people. If you’re a young person and you’re worried about something, big or small, you can speak to someone about it by calling
ChildLine: 0800 111