Have you heard of Trauma-informed practice? It’s a term that describes ways of reducing the negative impact of trauma experiences by supporting mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
Jules
Editor
Trauma-informed practice
These practices have been built on years of research, however, there has been a lack of consensus within the health and social care sector on how trauma-informed practice is defined, and what its key principles are. This makes it tricky for churches, charities and other organisations to know where to start and what to do. When it comes to supporting victim-survivors of abuse or creating safer places, traumainformed practice is incredibly important. This issue of Together will equip you to understand how being trauma-informed can make places safer. We unpack what trauma is and its impact (pg 6), we explore vicarious trauma (the experience of witnessing or hearing about other people's suffering) (pg 10). We also look at how to support healing from trauma
(pg 16), and creating trauma-informed spaces (pg 12).
In addition, we introduce you to our member ‘Press Red’ who educate, equip, and empower on the issues of violence and abuse against women and girls (pg 19). Plus we have two brand new columns for you, ‘In Practice’, looking at real-life safeguarding scenarios (pg 22), and In Focus, which does a deeper dive on a specific area of safeguarding. This edition looks at Holiday camps and residentials (pg 24).
We want to thank you again for helping to create safer places. Your membership with us means that we can continue to work towards a world where every child and adult can feel, and be, safe.
Loveland,
The future of safeguarding for the Church of England
Archbishop Justin Welby resigned his position following the publication of the Makin Review at the end of last year. As the Church of England focuses on appointing and embedding a new Archbishop, the most important people mustn’t be overlooked – the victims-survivors. This is a pivotal moment for a cultural shift across the whole Church, where safeguarding and the experiences of victims and survivors are treated as a priority, not an afterthought.
The resignation of a high-ranking leader, such as Welby, should not simply be seen as a moment of transition, but rather as an opportunity to make meaningful change. The Makin report follows other reports, such as the Wilkinson and Jay reviews, and the Independent Inquiry into Childhood Sex Abuse. Each review urges the same thing – that churches take safeguarding seriously, prioritise improving their practices, and take better care of its victims and survivors.
Building on many existing great practices in churches, we must continue to be proactive in fostering healthy cultures that recognise and address the potential for harm before it occurs. This means addressing hierarchal structures, holding leaders accountable, regularly reviewing safeguarding practices, offering training for volunteers and staff, and building a community where everyone feels empowered to speak up.
The church is called to be a refuge, a sanctuary, and a space for the hurting to find healing. The legacy of Archbishop Welby’s resignation should mark a decisive turning point in the Church’s approach to safeguarding. We now have an opportunity to transform ourselves into safer places, that truly value the protection and dignity of all people. Together we can create a church where every child and adult is, and feels, safe.
'WE MUST CONTINUE TO BE PROACTIVE IN FOSTERING HEALTHY CULTURES THAT RECOGNISE AND ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL FOR HARM'
English government consider smacking ban
overnment ministers are giving serious thought to a smacking ban, following growing calls for stronger protections for children. In recent years, Scotland, Wales, and Jersey have all introduced laws prohibiting physical punishment, and England may soon
This shift comes after the tragic death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, which has reignited discussions about the need for more robust safeguards. Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, has been at the forefront of the push, saying that banning corporal punishment, including smacking, slapping, and shaking, could help prevent smaller
She explained, “If we are serious about keeping every child safe, it's time England takes this necessary step. Too many children have been
harmed or killed by the people who should love and care for them most.”
Under current law in England and Northern Ireland, parents can still use physical punishment if it’s deemed “reasonable,” though any act causing significant harm is illegal. However, experts like Dame Rachel believe that the examples set by Scotland and Wales show the positive impact a full smacking ban can have.
Thirtyone:eight alongside NSPCC and Barnardo’s have long advocated for a similar ban in England and Northern Ireland and is included within our manifesto: thirtyoneeight.org/manifesto
A spokesperson for the Department for Education shared that the government is now reassessing its position. “Any form of violence towards a child is completely unacceptable,” they said, adding that they are carefully considering legal changes in other parts of the UK.
5,700 churches tOok paRt
Thank you to those of you who took part in Safeguarding Sunday at the end of last year. It was our sixth year of running the campaign and our most successful yet, with over 5,700 churches taking part.
It’s encouraging to think that across the country thousands of churches took the time to reflect on the importance of creating safer spaces within the church. The day fell against the challenging backdrop of Archbishop Justin Welby's resignation earlier that week, following the Makin review. But overall, the day stood as a testament to the church's unwavering commitment to safeguarding and its responsibility to protect and support vulnerable people. We were pleased to see churches engage with the campaign in creative and meaningful ways, most using our free resources and some creating their own. Our brand-new Safe film received overwhelmingly positive feedback. It has resonated with congregations and sparked important conversations about what safeguarding truly means within the church.
Participants have told us that the day offered a rare
opportunity for honest, reflective conversation. Allowing members to ask difficult questions, share concerns, and fully understand why safeguarding is fundamental to our call as Christians.
We’re hearing that churches were so encouraged by the success of Safeguarding Sunday that they are planning to make it an annual event, and some requested it take place more than once a year, recognising its ongoing importance in creating healthy cultures.
The power of safeguarding Sunday is best summed up in the following story from one church that took part,
“Only a couple of weeks ago, a returning visitor to the Chaplaincy thanked us because last year’s service empowered them to make a disclosure
[of abuse] when they returned home, and now they have started a journey of healing which, without the service, they might not have started.”
As we look to the future, Safeguarding Sunday has proven that the church is ready to continue building a safer, more supportive environment. It’s a conversation we must all keep having. Together we can make safer spaces for all.
IWhat is trauma?
Written by Eleni Kypridemos
magine walking into a room, and you find yourself in the presence of a lion. Your brain will immediately react to the danger it perceives and do its best to keep you alive, not safe. There is a difference between survival and safety. Safety means you’re okay and unlikely to encounter emotional wounding. Survival means you are alive. On seeing the lion your brain will go through a list of potential survival strategies to keep you from becoming lion-lunch.
1. Fight, though you might reject that as you’re unlikely to win.
2. Flight…RUN!
3. Freeze, like a rabbit hoping staying still means the lion won’t notice you.
4. Fawn, “Hi nice lion, we can be friends. Please don’t eat me.”
Gabor Maté's belief that “trauma isn't the event that inflicted the wound, but the wound you sustained as a result” is a good place to anchor our minds. Lion
encounters are just that –encounters. Our primal instinct is to stay alive. What’s left behind as a result, the wound, is trauma. Our perception of this event – whether we felt like we were about to die, or that we were in danger or threatened – is the part that either creates a new wound or, more commonly, scratches at a part of our psychological self that is already sore. It is what we have emotionally been left holding. Most cannot see it, but we, the traumatised, can feel it.
Eleni Kypridemos
What is Trauma?
Trauma is the emotional, psychological, and physical response to deeply distressing or disturbing events. It occurs when a person experiences or witnesses an event that overwhelms their ability to cope, making them feel threatened, helpless, or out of control. Trauma is typically classified into three main types based on the nature, duration, and complexity of the traumatic experience:
Acute Trauma results from a single, specific, and intense incident. It usually involves an immediate threat to our physical or emotional safety and can cause an intense stress response, e.g., a car accident. With appropriate support, we generally process the short-term shock, fear, and distress arising from these incidents. However, lingering effects like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may arise. Treatments such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and cognitive-behavioural therapy have proven effective in the processing of single-incident acute trauma.
Chronic and Complex Trauma results from prolonged or repeated exposure to distressing events, often involving significant relationships. The long-term nature of chronic trauma – such as childhood abuse or ongoing neglect – can have serious effects on mental, emotional, and physical health. It can lead to lasting changes in how we view ourselves and the world, contributing to anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones may also harm physical health, with trauma often stored in the body. Complex Trauma erodes our sense of self, making it harder to trust others or regulate emotions, leaving us feeling lost and disconnected. It diminishes our self-esteem and sense of identity.
The Impact of Trauma
When trauma occurs at critical developmental stages, it can alter brain structure, influence behavioural patterns, and shape a child's worldview in ways that may impact their life well into adulthood.
Children exposed to trauma may have difficulty regulating their emotions, which can lead to intense mood swings, outbursts, or prolonged sadness or fear. They may develop maladaptive behaviours to cope with their trauma, such as aggression, defiance, or withdrawal. This can also include avoidance of situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event.
Trauma, especially relational trauma involving primary caregivers (e.g. abuse, neglect, or abandonment), can disrupt a child’s ability to form secure attachments.
DUE TO HEIGHTENED EMOTIONAL REACTIVITY, CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA ARE OFTEN MORE SENSITIVE TO STRESS AND MAY HAVE TROUBLE CALMING DOWN WHEN UPSET.
They may struggle with trust, have difficulty forming close bonds, or develop an anxious, avoidant, or disorganised attachment style. Children with attachment disruptions may either cling to others out of fear of abandonment or avoid relationships to prevent future hurt. This impacts their social development and ability to form healthy relationships later
in life, as they rarely experience a consistent and reliable safe haven.
Trauma can profoundly impact how we feel about ourselves, shaping how we interpret the world. It skews our perceptions in ways that can make ordinary experiences feel more challenging or threatening. We become alert to danger because we have lived through the experience. We fear encountering it again, so we look for it everywhere and prepare to fight, run, freeze, or fawn. We build high walls to keep out this danger and protect the fragile inner self. These walls keep people out, leaving us feeling alone and unable to trust. We then blame ourselves for having built these walls that have become our prison. This prison is filled with feelings of shame, guilt, and inadequacy. We feel too broken and unworthy to be seen or connect with others. We feel helpless and powerless to escape this prison and we detach the pipes that allow emotions from the world in,
limiting our ability to feel. But, this also stems the flow of joy and connection. We lose our ability to know where we are in the world and what’s going on around us, trying to hold on to the fragments of our fractured self – all the while protecting the wounds that only we can feel. The rest of the outside world, who live beyond our mind, can’t see it, don’t get it, and are no longer accessible.
How could church communities help?
Accept that people have protective walls for a reason. Be alongside them, and resist trying to climb over the walls, which could be too frightening for the person within them, causing them to withdraw. Working trauma-informed means patiently and gently responding to the signs of trauma. Like Job, we might not understand why or how this happened, but we can stay with someone until they are ready to reveal more.
(a culture of respect and confidentiality). Consider providing clear guidelines and consistent routines, which can help people who have experienced trauma feel more secure and reduce anxiety. Avoid language that could unintentionally shame or blame people for struggling with mental health or traumarelated issues. Instead, focus on affirming messages of grace, healing, and acceptance.
Emphasise compassion and listening over “fixing” someone’s pain or trauma. Many people simply need to feel heard and understood. Avoid giving advice that could minimise trauma (e.g., “Just have faith” or “pray more, and it will go away”). Instead, validate people’s experiences and the challenges they face. Be open to discussing mental health and trauma topics in sermons and teachings, reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek help from suitably qualified psychological clinicians.
greatest power available to Christians comes from Jesus: “Love thy neighbour.” Show kindness with patience, offer empathy by giving the benefit of the doubt, forgive and offer another chance, and serve through warm welcomes and gentle inquiry. “Good to see you today. How are you?” And don’t forget to stick around to hear their answer.
About the author
Eleni Kypridemos MA MBACP Accred BScHons PGCert, is an Orthodox Christian and psychotherapist, clinical supervisor with over 20years of trauma informed experience. Currently Clinical Lead in an independent fostering agency, expert contributor to BACP and practising in private practice. www.linkedin.com/in/ elenikypridemospsycho therapist
Safety is crucial for trauma survivors. Churches can create safety by ensuring both physical (well-lit, welcoming spaces) and emotional safety
Trauma can lead people to feel isolated or disconnected, alone in the room with the memory of the lion. The
‘TRAUMA CAN PROFOUNDLY IMPACT HOW WE FEEL ABOUT OURSELVES, SHAPING HOW WE INTERPRET THE WORLD.’
Vicarious Trauma in Christian Ministry
Written by Rev Will Van Der Hart
When Daniel (not his real name) first lost his appetite and began waking at night, he assumed he might be physically unwell and went to his doctor for tests. At the time, Daniel was in a good place with his spouse, and his family appeared to be thriving. Nothing in his circumstances seemed to point to emotional distress. In fact, if someone had told Daniel that his symptoms were the result of vicarious trauma a by-product of ministry-related exposure to others' difficult life events – he would have been
Vicarious trauma is a significant struggle for many in the caring professions – pastoral workers, police, medical care, social services, and increasingly, clergy (or church leaders). In a recent survey I conducted with 56 Anglican clergy, 65.5% reported experiencing some degree of trauma, underscoring the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions. Vicarious trauma can present as a combination of:
Intrusive thoughts or images
Loss of hope or sense of meaning
Physical sensations, changes to appetite/sleep
Difficulty feeling safe or trusting others
Changes in relationships
Clergy have long suffered from a lack of emotional and psychological support, often exacerbated by the absence of professional supervision or counselling. This has left many ill-equipped to process the profound impact of exposure to deeply traumatic social situations. Their safeguarding responsibilities, in particular, have
exposed them to numerous survivor and perpetrator disclosures, often accompanied by overwhelming anxiety about reporting competently and creating safe worshipping environments – sometimes involving known offenders under strict conditions. In the clergy wellbeing survey, safeguarding issues emerged as the most traumatising single issue, cited as the highest concern by 41.7% of respondents.
One of the challenges we face in creating awareness about trauma is the misconceptions surrounding what kind of events can trigger it. I personally experienced trauma in the early years of my ministry when I was caught up in the 2005 London bombings. This led to an acute period of PTSD and anxiety, requiring time off work, therapy, and medication to recover. At the time, I believed trauma only occurred in very notable events – like terrorist attacks or natural disasters. However, through two years of psychotherapy, I learned that while “grand trauma” exists, there are also “smaller” traumas – smaller, cumulative events that can slowly overwhelm us. These often sink us quietly, without warning, and leave us vulnerable to burnout and disillusionment.
In 2023, The Mind and Soul Foundation partnered with Oxford University's Faculty of Divinity and Professor Josh Hordern to explore vicarious trauma in Christian ministry. Our research has revealed that ministry-associated trauma is multi-layered, combining significant incidents with the countless smaller exposures that come with pastoral work. Without proper support and processing, these experiences build up over time. As one senior clergy member shared with me, “The clergy contract is fundamentally broken.” The expectations for clergy well-being have collapsed under the weight of unrelenting demands, while the necessary support remains glaringly absent. What is being asked of clergy today is simply beyond what could reasonably be expected of any single leader. They are not only being exposed to more and more distressing circumstances, they have less time, capacity and resources to attend to the traumatic associations of that exposure. This breakdown has clear implications for leadership resilience and the ability to sustain healthy relationships but it is also far more than a purely psychological phenomena. Like many people interested in trauma, The Body Keeps the
Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk has become something of a foundational text. He notes “Trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body.” (p269) Trauma has a profound physical and psychosocial impact on those who experience it.
As someone with a passion for clergy wellbeing that has spanned nearly two decades I anticipated clergy wellbeing to progressively improve alongside science and awareness. Instead I have never felt more concerned about it than I do today. For me, trauma is the predominant hidden factor in the decline of clergy wellbeing. As van der Kolk comments “Traumatized people learn that they can’t afford to feel.” (p142) Many of the clergy I encounter suffer from workaholism, a lack of life margin, extreme stress and constant rumination. When we cannot afford to feel our unprocessed feelings or lack the support to begin, the only alternative is to block them out with overactivity. Which in itself only serves to produce more emotional distress and exposure to new stressors.
Vicarious trauma is no longer an unfortunate exception faced by a few; it is fast becoming a professional hazard that requires research and mitigation. Addressing this reality demands practical, accessible solutions that equip clergy and other caring professionals with tools to process their experiences and sustain long-term well-being. In the short term, we need to become alive to the real impact of the distress we often encounter in Christian ministry. By becoming institutionally trauma-informed, we not only reduce the risk of retraumatising individuals but also create church environments where healing, trust, and resilience can thrive for both congregation members and clergy alike.
About the author
Rev Will Van Der Hart is an Anglican priest and established performance coach. He is the author of eight popular emotional health books on topics including perfectionism, shame and worry including two with the adventurer Bear Grylls. Will is a co-director of The Mind and Soul Foundation, a Christian mental health charity formed in 2006 and the Wellbeing Chaplain to the Revitalise Trust church planting network.
Creating trauma-informed places
Written by Jenny Cavendish
Recently, my husband and I joined a new church. We’d met with the leadership beforehand and asked questions, we knew their key values and agreed with their theology. It all looked good on paper and the first nine months went well. Then rolled around Mothering Sunday. The double whammy of a complex relationship with my mother and experiencing infertility meant it was a service I would usually avoid. Still, I felt hopeful about the new church – I had seen them handle Father's Day sensitively, so I came in expectant.
Sadly, all the stereotypes played out with references to “all mothers are amazing” and asking all mums to stand and receive a round of applause. This wasn’t my experience, nor was it something I could relate to. I felt my heart racing, and in the moment it kicked off a trauma response in my body – I became sensitive to the light and noise in the room, my breathing became fast and I wanted to leave the building. I’m a psychotherapist – I knew what was happening to me, but the speed at which it happened led me to struggle to regulate my emotions. Instead, I sent a strongly worded email to the church leadership explaining that we needed to do things differently.
Co-regulation
“Trauma isn’t what happens to us, but what happens inside our bodies as a result of what happens” says Gabor Maté, one of the world's leading experts in trauma. The impact of the experience remains in the subconscious and needs help to be processed and discharged, otherwise they are on high alert for danger. Even when someone recognises what their triggers are, things can still occur and cause the body and brain to become dysregulated as if they currently are not safe and the event or experience is happening again in the here and now. Moving from a place of dysregulation to regulation initially takes teamwork – co-regulation – before self-regulation can happen. Recognising this is one of the first steps in building emotional safety. This might look like:
• Grounding techniques to stay focused in the “here and now” such as naming the colours of items in the room, counting in 5s or listing 5 things that can be seen, 4 things that can be heard, three things to touch, 2 things to smell and 1 to taste.
• Breathing techniques such as breathing in for a count of seven, holding the breath for a count of four and then breathing slowly out for a count of eight.
Trauma-awareness
Brene Brown who has written extensively about vulnerability and shame uses the term “lean into the discomfort”. My email was met with a church team who were able to join me in that discomfort. We talked extensively about what had been triggering in the service and what both they and I could do differently next time. I was very aware in that conversation how little trauma training they had received, and over the next year, we worked together to create meaningful change. Most churches want to adopt a trauma-aware or trauma-informed approach but it can be a struggle to do this well. We are often not aware of how to manage the impact of trauma in our own lives so we struggle when faced with someone else and their experiences, even if we intend to make them feel heard, met and understood. When looking to make this change, it is important to begin from a trauma-aware state first. This looks like:
• Acknowledging that some within our communities will have experienced trauma.
• Recognising that acute trauma (experiencing a one-off event such as an assault, natural disaster or sudden bereavement) is different from chronic trauma (repeated or prolonged exposure to events such as ongoing abuse, living in an unsafe environment or enduring oppression) or vicarious trauma (being close to someone who has experienced trauma or from a role where trauma is prevalent).
• Having an understanding that people might be sensitive to certain stimuli and react in involuntary ways when triggered.
• Looking after ourselves and each other by offering listening, empathy and kindness, whilst also knowing the limits of what we can provide and where additional help can come from.
One of the most important experiences for me in talking with my church was being treated equally. They began by thanking me for drawing their attention to how I felt, and they apologised for their part in it. It would have been very easy for them to use shaming language with comments like “Just read the bible and pray about it, this is between you and God” or “When that happened to me I just ignored it and moved on” which is not uncommon. Shaming language can lead to fear-driven behaviour, and feeling afraid will exacerbate dysregulation.
• Begin from a place of regulation yourself: Notice the emotion you are experiencing and own it “I am feeling nervous about this conversation, so I will listen to some music and pray beforehand so I am bringing a calm “me” into the situation rather than an anxious “me”.
• Be attuned to the other person: Notice and name what is happening, and become curious: “I can see you are frustrated. I wonder if you’re frustrated with how the service went this morning.”
• Be ready to offer a repair or a rebuilding of trust: Think together about how the restoration can occur and how the situation can be moved forward or resolved.
Supporting recovery
Supporting recovery and healing builds on the earlier foundation of being trauma-aware. It comes from a place of being trauma-informed. One of the major predictors of how someone heals from trauma is their connectedness to community, relationships and culture and a healthy community which includes traumainformed individuals feeds this recovery. The purpose of being trauma-informed is not to treat trauma-related difficulties, which is the role of specialist services and practitioners but to address the barriers
that people who have affected trauma may experience such as:
• Known spaces or people of safety: Checking in with individuals to ascertain what else can be done to avoid re-traumatisation and exploring together policies, practices and safeguarding arrangements.
• Transparency within the organisation: Honesty from leadership around change and clear expectations without overpromising
• Offering choice and empowerment: Listening to needs and wishes and where possible addressing areas where a lack of safety or control can cause difficulties in developing trusting relationships.
Healing from trauma is a complex and multifaceted process that requires a combination of individual and societal interventions.
Trauma survivors need access to safe environments, professional therapeutic support, community responses and societal efforts to prevent further harm.
No single approach will work for everyone as trauma manifests differently in each person. However, by integrating a range of healing modalities we can offer trauma survivors the support needed to rebuild their sense of safety.
About the author
Jenny is an Integrative Psychotherapist based in Coventry and a resources specialist at Youthscape. She is also an advisor to Unique Connections who offer training and support to professionals working with young people who self-injure and have complex needs or autism.
Jenny Cavendish
Supporting healing and recovery from trauma
Written by Ruth Stephens, CEO and Founder of Join the Dots
Research indicates that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, neglect, parental conflict, separation, or mental illness can significantly impact a person's health, wellbeing, and life opportunities. However, it's not the trauma itself, but how an individual responds to it – mentally, physically, and emotionally – that causes harm. These subconscious responses can affect the nervous, immune, sensory, and hormonal systems, even altering DNA. As many early traumas are relational, they also affect attachment security and future relationships.
Statistically around 50% of the population1 have experienced one or more ACES. This means that trauma is walking through our doors every single day. Are we equipped to support these children, young people or adults on their healing journey?
Noticing signs of trauma
Supporting a person’s healing starts with recognising the signs of trauma. Trauma often triggers a survival response, such as fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. In fight, there may be aggression, while flight can bring restlessness, agitation, and heightened sensitivity to stimuli. A freeze state may lead to withdrawal, and in fawn, a person may ignore their own needs. In survival states, one is likely to be hypervigilant and very uncomfortable in certain environments. If we try to talk to them, they may be unable to process what we say
or be very sensitive to rejection and shame.
Felt safety is crucial before healing can begin. In response to perceived threats, the nervous system forms protective trauma responses, which help individuals feel safer. However, these can affect how they engage with activities, relate to others, and see themselves, including their relationship with God. Unhealthy coping patterns, formed to seek safety, can make establishing relational security more difficult.
As compassionate Christians seeking to follow the example of Jesus, many of us are reaching out to help heal hurting and ‘broken’ people. Upskilling and learning to adapt our approach are vital to make our support count. Offering appropriately informed support, backed up by prayer, will foster healing. However, let us not be too quick to offer to pray with them.
What can we do?
Consider your environment
It is important to recognise that our environments can be a trigger to past distress, reigniting very vivid uncomfortable or distressing bodily responses. Church environments can be very sensory demanding so pay attention to lighting, textures, noises and even smells. Look to provide predictable, uncluttered spaces, and reduce sensory demands. Creating a nurturing sensory environment goes a long way to calming distressed nervous systems. Why not create a separate space in your setting which could be available for those who need specific calming or de-escalation when in survival mode? This could include soft lighting, steady, calming music, fluffy cushions, a sensory box with different textured fidget items. Spending time in this space can prepare people of all ages to chat about what is bothering them, creating space to heal and recover.
Create safety plans
Safety plans are written plans personalised to an individual at risk of distress or harm. It may include a list of things that trigger their survival responses, warning signs that others should look out for (such as withdrawing, aggression, or stealing sharp objects) and a list of supportive actions. These could include spending
a few minutes doing some calming breathing, sitting in a comfy chair stroking a fluffy cushion, listening to soothing music, or eating something chewy – chewy foods are said to be calming.2 When creating a plan consider adjustments to soothe the senses and name people who are good to talk to.
Be aware of communication and interactions
Psychologist, Dr Karen Treisman3 says that every interaction is an intervention – no pressure then! When we observe someone’s distress It may be instinctive to invite them to share how they are feeling but that may not always be the way forward. If you are given the cold shoulder, don’t take it personally and remember that we may all have a different part to play in someone’s healing journey. You may not be the right person for them at that moment.
Four qualities we can cultivate in our communication as suggested by traumaspecialising clinical psychologist Dr Dan Hughes4 in his PACE model are:
Being playful: This is not about being childish but is more about keeping it light and not overwhelming. It may mean finding a way to get alongside a person by doing an activity they enjoy together.
Acceptance: It may sound obvious but coming without
judgement and lowering demands really helps.
Curiosity: This is not necessarily about asking questions out loud; rather it is being curious in ourselves about what could be going on inside the person. Try and gauge when they may be ready for you to ask questions such as “I wonder if..?” “How does that feel for you?”
Empathy: putting ourselves in their shoes: ask yourself how might it feel to be them right now? Being there for them, not offering pity or sympathy, helping them feel seen and heard.
Know our limits
A key part of supporting people is knowing when and where to refer people for expert help. Christians have often made the mistake of thinking that a person with a trauma background needs nothing other than to know Jesus. Whilst we must never deny the miraculous power of Jesus to save and redeem people through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is equally important not to try and hold a person back from the expert help. If unsure, encourage them to see their GP, healthcare specialist, or refer them to emergency services where appropriate. Have ready access to qualified, trauma-specialised clinicians for those who need it, perhaps with a fund specifically available to buffer costs.
We need to know our limits and understand that more damage can be done if we try to muddle through helping someone when it is out of our depth. We could put ourselves and others at risk causing no end of safeguarding issues.
A final note…
If you are supporting people with trauma, it’s important you look after yourself too. Make sure you surround yourself with healthy, supportive relationships. Take time with God to recharge and do something that refuels you physically, emotionally/ relationally and spiritually. We all need to make time to play which for some, is going to the gym, for others it’s baking or simply sitting down with a nice coffee and listening to music.
Make time regularly for play in your life as it is said to release happy hormones!5
To find out more and increase your awareness visit: www.Jointhedots.solutions
About the author:
Ruth is the CEO and founder of Join the Dots charity. Its formation emerged from a growing awareness that the church needs to be more accessible to those with complicated backgrounds. They serve to equip those whose Christian ministry involves supporting people who have experienced adversity, by providing training, resources and consultation.
Ruth has been involved in church leadership for many years and had a career as an OT which included working therapeutically in a dynamic, multidisciplinary, specialist trauma therapy clinic. She has an MSc in Attachment studies, a diploma in Occupational Therapist and counselling certificates.
1 ACE, Welsh Adverse Childhood Experience. “Sources of resilience and their moderating relationships with harms from adverse childhood experiences.” Dostupno na: www. cdc. gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/about.html pristupljeno 18 (2018): 2020.
2 Always consider food allergies and ask permission from the responsible adult.
3 https://safehandsthinkingminds.co.uk/about-us
4 Golding, K, Hughes, D. (2012) Creating Loving Attachments: Parenting with PACE to Nurture Confidence and security in the troubled child. London, Jessica Kingsley.
5 Trezza, V., Baarendse, P, and Vanderschuren, L. (2010) The pleasures of play: pharmacological insights into social reward mechanisms. Trends Pharmacol Sci. Oct;31(10):463-9.
Ruth Stephens
Contributing to creating Trauma-Informed safe spaces In the Spotlight: Press Red
Michelle Bucknor
Written by Michelle Bucknor, Deputy Director, Press Red
At Press Red, we are dedicated to addressing the realities of genderbased violence, abuse, and violation, equipping individuals and organisations to take proactive steps to ensure safety for all. Our mission extends beyond responding to survivors' needs, focusing on preventing future harm by fostering safer environments and challenging the harmful attitudes that perpetuate abuse.
Proactive Solutions: Preventing Trauma Before It Happens
Trauma has a profound and lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities. Globally, 1 in 3 women experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with the UK reporting over 2.3 million women affected annually by domestic abuse. At Press Red, we believe that prevention is the most effective safeguard. Our work prioritises raising awareness, informing, educating, and equipping organisations to act before harm
occurs. By adopting a proactive stance, we empower leaders to reduce risks to women and girls, creating environments where they can thrive without fear.
Key aspects of our work include:
• Equipping Organisations: We help organisations recognise their responsibility to create safe spaces by offering resources and training to embed safeguarding against domestic abuse/violence to women into their policies and practices. This ensures their environments are secure and supportive for everyone, especially those who have experienced trauma.
• Challenging Harmful Attitudes: Through creative workshops and awareness campaigns, we address the toxic mindsets that underpin abusive behaviours, emphasising the importance of respect, accountability, and allyship.
• Signposting to Expert Help: We act as a conduit, connecting individuals and
organisations with trusted specialist partners such as Thirtyone:eight; ensuring access to accurate, compliant support that underpins legislative requirements.
Trauma-Informed Spaces: Navigating from Awareness to Action
Creating trauma-informed spaces requires understanding trauma and taking active measures to prevent harm. We work closely with faith-based organisations, particularly churches, to:
• Recognise Risks and Reduce Harm: By identifying vulnerabilities that could exist in congregations, we equip leaders to address unsafe practices and foster zero-tolerance cultures that protect women and girls.
• Provide Support for Survivors: Through our programmes, we help organisations respond to survivors' needs with informed, practical support, ensuring access to trusted specialised trauma-focused therapy when needed.
• Foster Safe Participation: Our guidance ensures organisations implement practices that protect survivors from harm or retraumatisation during communal and/ community events and activities, fostering a culture of shared responsibility.
Introducing Our Key Programmes
To drive meaningful change, Press Red offers a range of impactful programmes tailored to raise awareness, educate and inform on the various types of abuse that exists and equip those in leadership, staff teams and volunteers with the right tools to help:
1. Control: Tackling coercive control by exploring power dynamics in relationships and raising awareness of the subtle and sometimes ‘unseen’ forms of manipulation and control.
2. Disruptor!: Empowering individuals to challenge and disrupt harmful attitudes and behaviours starting within their own circles with family, friends, associates.
‘CREATING TRAUMAINFORMED SPACES REQUIRES UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA AND TAKING ACTIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT HARM.’
3. GRID: provides tools for fostering equality and respect within Christian discipleship and leadership. This Workshop enables church leaders to consider and discover their own preconceptions and biases about genderbased violence, looking at how these are informing their churches and ministry and through explorative learning, challenge them to consider other perspectives (things aren’t always as they seem!).
4. Schools & Youth Programme: Engaging young people to understand and address genderbased violence safely, empowering them to contribute to fostering good and wholesome associations and friendships; recognising toxicity in relationships and learning how to navigate these for a safe future.
5. #BeLikeBoaz – The Book of Ruth Tour: A campaign encouraging men to become allies, step up and speak out against gender-based violence.
National Advocacy and Why Our Work Matters
The Queen Consort’s ongoing advocacy to combat domestic violence has brought national attention to these critical issues. Her campaign emphasises the need for greater awareness, survivor support, and preventative action, aligning with Press Red’s commitment to equipping individuals and organisations to create trauma-informed, safe spaces.
Collaboration: A Core Strategy for Safeguarding
We recognise safeguarding as a shared responsibility. Our collaboration with partners like Thirtyone:eight and others, strengthens our ability to provide tools needed for sustainable change. Thirtyone:eight’s expertise in offering
DBS services, create policies, auditing, and equipping organisations with effective strategies that organise and structure their approach to prioritise compliance, contributes to actively protect people in various environments through intentional efforts.
The Advantages of Membership with Thirtyone:eight
Membership with Thirtyone:eight has been contributory to us shaping our programmes from within, ensuring we have the required knowledge, and practices; knowledge ad processes to walk our service users through incorporating and sharing best practices in our programmes. They are more than a resource – they are a trusted partner in all requirements of safeguarding is a cornerstone of our work, providing:
• Immediate Guidance: Expert advice and support during safeguarding crises.
• Comprehensive Resources: Tailored training and policy templates for effective safeguarding.
• Independent Oversight: Assurance that organisations operate at the highest safeguarding standards and fulfilling their responsibilities effectively.
This partnership enhances our ability to design impactful programmes that reduce the risk of abuse and create cultures of accountability and care. By collaborating with trusted partners, we not only react and respond to incidents, but also drive a preventative, long term approach to safeguarding.
A Commitment to Safer Spaces
Our work aims to empower individuals and organisations to adopt a “zero-tolerance” approach to complicity. Campaigns like the #BeLikeBoaz initiative call for allyship and action, disrupting harmful behaviours and fostering cultural shifts toward accountability.
With the dedication of partners, communities, and advocates, we are transforming trauma into hope and prevention into a shared responsibility. By equipping leaders, engaging communities, and offering innovative programmes, Press Red is helping to make safe spaces a reality.
To learn more about our work, visit www.pressred.org
Amina
In Practice
has told Elena that she's been harmed by Jo. Elena isn't sure what to do next, she doesn't want to make things worse.
In a cofFeE sHop
It’s beEn goInG on for a wHile anD | wanT it to sTop.
Elena is worRiEd
This is seriOus. | have to do sometHinG.
|'m sorRy to burDen yOu witH tHis…
What do | even saY to her? | migHt saY tHe wRonG tHinG.
…AnD | kNow it's comPlicated as tHeY’re on tHe yOutH teAm.
Oh yEah. That's tRuE. ShoUlD | calL tHe police?
AnD | tHinK it migHt be hapPeninG in tHeIr home toO. |'m not sure…
ThanK yOu for telLinG me. YoU've beEn so bRave. | am here for yOu.
But….. | reAlLy neEd some helP. What do | do now?
MaYbe | sHoUlD asK tHem for tHeIr side of tHe sTory?
A guide to handling disclosures of abuse
How we respond to a disclosure of abuse can make all the difference to a victim-survivor. This guide will equip you with the right steps to follow
Centring victim-survivors
At all times victim-survivors should remain the priority. Processes shouldn’t overshadow their well-being. They need choice, a voice, and ongoing support. Organisations should be clear on how victim-survivors will be communicated with and what to do if that doesn’t happen.
How to handle an allegation:
1. Listen Carefully and Calmly
• Stay calm: If a person tells you they have been abused, remain outwardly calm. Tell them you believe them. Listen and avoid probing questions.
• Don’t promise confidentiality: Say that you respect their privacy, but to ensure their (and other’s) safety you may need to share the information with a safeguarding officer or authorities.
2. Reassure the Person
• Validate their feelings: Many victim-survivors feel shame or guilt. Reassure them that what happened is not their fault.
• Thank them for disclosing: Acknowledge the courage they’ve shown. Reassure them they have done the right thing.
3. Ensure the Person’s Immediate Safety
• Safety first: If the person is in immediate danger, ensure their safety before continuing the conversation. This may mean removing them from the situation.
• Alert authorities if necessary: If there is an immediate risk of harm, contact emergency services.
4. Record the Disclosure
• Make notes immediately: Write down everything the person has said. Record the date, time, and place of the disclosure. Avoid editing your notes later as they may be used as evidence by authorities.
• Do not make judgments: Record the facts as they are stated. Avoid adding your own opinions.
• Use the person's words: Record their language. This will be important if investigated.
5. Report the Disclosure
• Follow your organisation’s safeguarding procedures: Every organisation should have a Safeguarding Officer. Immediately report to them.
• Contact statutory authorities: In most cases, the disclosure should be reported to statutory authorities (e.g. social services or the police). The Safeguarding Officer will do this.
• Do not investigate: You should not investigate. That is the responsibility of the authorities. Do not speak to the person whom the allegation is against. Safeguarding leads may have to follow different advice depending on the situation.
6. Support the Person Making the Disclosure
• Provide emotional support: After the disclosure, continue to offer emotional support to the person.
• Refer to appropriate services: If the person needs support, such as counselling, refer them to the appropriate services.
7. Confidentiality and Data Protection
• Respect confidentiality: Outside of the statutory agencies and safeguarding team, do not discuss this with anyone. Sharing information can harm the investigation and put others at risk.
• Follow GDPR and safeguarding protocols: Any records of the disclosure must be stored securely in line with GDPR and the church's safeguarding policies.
8. Work with Authorities
• Cooperate with investigations: If the matter is reported to statutory agencies cooperate with them. They may need access to your notes.
• Protect the privacy of the person disclosing: Always ensure that the person’s privacy and dignity are maintained throughout the process.
9. Review and Reflect
• Review safeguarding procedures: Leadership should reflect on how the situation was managed, review their policies and procedures, and make improvements.
• Provide ongoing support to the person: Continue to offer emotional and pastoral support to the individual.
If you need support in handling or making disclosure please visit thirtyoneeight.org/helpline
Holiday clubs and residentials
Dear Thirtyone:eight, We’re taking our youth to a holiday camp this summer, what advice can you give us?
A. Member
Summer is a great opportunity to put on fun activities for children and young people. But any holiday club, residential or camp should be carefully thought through, with the safety and wellbeing of children at the forefront of all your activities. Thinking of how robust your safeguarding policy is in these settings is worth considering ahead of time.
See our top tips below!
1. Communicate well
Communicating to parents, leaders, team members and children is critical. You may a safeguarding policy but how will parents and other workers know about it? If they have questions do they know who they can speak to?
2. Plan with parents
If you have children with specific or additional needs, make an advance plan with parents and ensure your leaders and workers have a copy.
3. Complete training
Train your workers before they attend the camp or holiday club so they know the signs and symptoms of abuse, safe practice and what
to do if they are concerned about a child or if a young person makes a disclosure of abuse. Thirtyone:eight offers a Gateway to Safeguarding eLearning course for this purpose.
4. Plan for worst-case scenarios
We have seen a rise in calls to our helpline on issues such as self-harm and suicide ideation at camps. These are conversations you hope not to have, but you might need to. Don’t be caught off guard. Get trained. Make a plan.
5. Ensure roles are clear
Clearly define job roles for both paid and voluntary workers. Ensure that leaders, parents and children know who the Safeguarding Coordinator or Designated Safeguarding Lead is and how they can be contacted. Ensure everyone knows who does what and when with a clear safeguarding policy covering processes and boundaries.
6. Safer recruitment for both paid workers and volunteers
A criminal records check is an important part of the safer recruitment process, but it’s only one part of the process. Like with any paid role, all of your team should be interviewed before a decision is made, and checks are done. You may know this person well, but how well do you know their ability to do this role properly? And remember to submit DBS Checks with plenty of time to spare before the event starts, as volumes of applications do increase during the build-up to summer camps.
7. Logistics and Risk Assessments
Planning, risk assessments and policies might feel like a chore, but they send a strong message to leaders and parents that you genuinely
care for children and young people. For example, you will want to plan all transport arrangements in advance, including insurance, MOT and roadworthiness. But also consider asking drivers to sign a document to say they are fit to drive (not to have consumed alcohol within the last 12 hours or taken any illegal substance). Additionally, contact your insurance company about the activities on the camp and complete a risk assessment for those activities.
Finally, make sure you have the contact details for parents, the local authority where they reside, and the local police.
Don’t forget, our Safeguarding Helpline advisors are always on hand to support you if you have any concerns or just need some advice – visit thirtyoneeight.org/helpline Plus you have access to the full ‘guide to safeguarding at camps and residentials’ in your member knowledge hub.
Brand New Training!
We have created a specialist training webinar for all those planning and working at summer camps and residentials. This is a unique, affordable, online session for anyone involved in your event, from chefs to stewards, sound crew to leaders –voluntary or paid. Find out more about our Safeguarding for Events and Residentials training at thirtyoneeight.org/training
