A parliamentary group focused on safeguarding in faith communities has been relaunched.
The group, composed of MPs, Lords, charity workers, and faith leaders, is reviewing how faith groups and government agencies collaborate to protect children and ensure mandatory abuse reporting rules are properly implemented.
The inaugural meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), held on 27th January, addressed key issues such as grooming gangs and mandatory reporting, setting the foundation for future efforts to make faith spaces safe and free from harm and abuse.
The APPG is committed to driving change by exploring the effectiveness of partnerships between faith settings, statutory agencies, and voluntary sector organisations in safeguarding. It also seeks to promote the implementation of recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), with a particular focus on supporting the introduction of strong measures to enforce mandatory reporting legislation.
Ruth Jones MP, Co-Chair of the APPG, commented: "It's an honour to be part of a group that is making a significant impact. Safeguarding in faith communities is crucial, and now is the time to continue to raise awareness, enact change, and provide support to survivors.”
Bishop Viv Faull, Co-Chair of the APPG, said: "The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Safeguarding in Faith Communities has achieved remarkable progress in the last six years. By working together, we have tackled some of the most pressing issues related to safeguarding in faith communities, especially concerning positions of trust and mandatory reporting. We remain committed to our mission to ensure that faith communities are safe spaces for all."
Justin Humphreys, CEO of Thirtyone:eight (who provide the secretariat for the APPG), said: "Faith communities provide a unique network of support and services for all sorts of people and situations. While they haven’t always got safeguarding right – something we need to acknowledge – they’re often the unsung heroes when the country faces tough times. Our aim is to ensure this is recognised by the government. Faith-based organisations have a real opportunity to create safer communities for everyone, but with that comes a big responsibility. If we’re serious about making a difference in people’s lives, we all need to play our part and make sure both the opportunity and responsibility are taken seriously.”