Posted on: 19th July 2023

Thirtyone:eight, the UK's leading independent Christian safeguarding charity, has launched its annual safeguarding awareness campaign for churches – Safeguarding Sunday – with a call for churches to set aside one Sunday in November to make a 'Big deal' about safeguarding.

The campaign, now in its fifth year, is held to coincide with Safeguarding Adults Week and Wales National Safeguarding Week, and sees thousands of churches from diverse backgrounds and traditions across the UK coming together to consider their own safeguarding journey.

Safeguarding Sunday will be observed this year on 19 November 2023 when churches will reflect on where they may have got things wrong in the past, think about how they are supporting those who have been hurt or harmed, and highlight and celebrate all the good work that is being done behind the scenes to protect vulnerable people and create safer cultures and communities for all both now and in the future.

Churches that took part last year reported:

• Greater positive awareness and understanding of safeguarding among church members.
• An increase in the number of people feeling able to talk about their abuse for the first time.
• More volunteers coming forward for safeguarding roles and to help with children’s and youth work.
• An increased number of people completing safeguarding training and criminal record checks.
• Bigger numbers of Safeguarding Leads feeling supported in their role by their church.

Read more here.