Sarah King, the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, sends the following information:
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).
To view the week’s schedule of activities and information on how to book your place on any of the Zoom webinars please click here.