Promoting a Safer Cathedral

A message from Dean Sue:

Over the years we have worked hard to be a safer Cathedral. This is important to myself and Chapter as we want to promote the fact we are a safe place for all the diverse people who come to worship and visit us. That means being open to many vulnerable people, or those at a time when they are most vulnerable, so we must be safe and welcoming for all. 

We have developed a strong safeguarding team and a strong team of constables, but we should not just leave it to them. We all have a responsibility to report incidents and create a safe environment. 

How we speak out is important, and hopefully you will have spotted posters around the cathedral telling everyone what to do. But here is a reminder. 

The first people to go to when you see something that is inappropriate is our safeguarding team. We have a new safeguarding officer, Lauryn Dobie, ably assisted by our previous officer, Mick Murphy, who now has a different role in the team. I want to be clear about how you report issues of concern. 

If you are or you think someone is in immediate harm or danger, then contact our constables on 0151 702 7260.  
If you are uncomfortable with a situation or have a general safeguarding concern, then contact Lauryn lauryn.dobie@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk or ring 07376 431 466. 

If you are a survivor of church-based abuse, you may find it hard to trust what we are doing, but your views are very important to us. We value listening and learning about what we can do better so please do speak to Lauryn. 

Over the next few months, how we keep people safe and free from harm will be audited by INEQE. INEQE (https://ineqe.com/) is an independent organisation whom the Church of England has appointed to audit all the diocese and Cathedrals in the Church of England.  The audit will help us improve on what we are doing. They will be asking you to complete a survey about your thoughts on cathedral safeguarding so look out for more information in November. 

Liverpool Cathedral is a big and busy place with thousands of people encountering this great building and the activities we host. Chapter and I want to make sure we remain a safe cathedral. It is all our responsibility to make sure we are a safer cathedral. Thank you for taking this seriously. 

Dean Sue