HELPING CHURCHES SAFELY SUPPORT SEXUAL OFFENDERS
Research has shown that at least 25% of people who are known to have committed sexual offences against children regularly attend church after conviction, sentence and release. This presents a great challenge to churches in terms of safeguarding children from abuse as well as helping offenders themselves to lead lives which are satisfying, such that they are less likely to offend in the future.
As a Christian project we provide training and support to such churches, helping them to safely and appropriately exercise their pastoral responsibilities towards all members of their congregations.
ABOUT US
Sanctuary was established in April 2004 as an independent charity but since 1st January 2010 has been a project of CCPAS.
It's aims are to provide training and support to churches which are attended by people who have committed sexual offences against children, so that children are protected and offenders are helped to lead satisfying lives which do not include further offending
We also work to promote understanding of child sexual abuse more widely and to foster understanding and partnership between churches and public protection agencies.
"Two are better than one. If one falls down his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no-one to help him up" Ecclesiastes 4:11
SANCTUARY
SERVICES
We principally provide training and support to churches which have known child sexual abusers in their congregations, and to other Christian groups which are concerned with supporting child sexual offenders in the community. We deliver a modular Training Programme, which can be shaped to the needs of individual churches and other groups and is designed for delivery by volunteers who are professionals drawn from the fields of sexual offending treatment and sexual offender management.
We encourage churches working with child sexual abusers to work closely with public protection agencies, but where those agencies are unable to provide support to a church we seek to arrange such support from other sources.
In addition to working with churches we also provide seminars and workshops for professionals who work with sexual offenders under the title "Sexual Offenders and the Church".
VOLUNTEERS
Our services are primarily delivered by volunteers, "Voluntary Consultants", who are drawn from the fields of sexual offending treatment and sexual offender management in the community.
We are currently seeking volunteers in the South East, London and around the Mersey Estuary (Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Chester and North Wales)
If you are interested to know more about volunteering with us we would be pleased to provide information and an Application Form if you contact us by email, phone or letter.
LINKS
We hope that you will find the following links helpful. They are provided in good faith and we cannot accept any responsibility for the contents of these web sites.
Caring for Ex-Offenders Christian organisation working in offender resettlement.
Broken Yoke Ministries US Christian organisation providing support to people struggling in the area of sexual abuse, and also training to churches. Run by a former offender, Bob van Domelen, this website contains the very helpful bi-monthly letter for offenders entitled "Into the Light".
STOP IT NOW National campaign to raise awareness of issues around child sexual abuse as a "public health issue" and a freephone helpline for those caught up in it including offenders, their families, survivors and those who are concerned about their sexual feelings towards children. HELPLINE 0808 1000 900 Mon-Thurs 9am to 9pm, Friday 9am to 7pm
NSPCC National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Helpful papers as well as facts and figures HELPLINE 0808 800 5000
NOTA The National Organisation for the Treatment of Abusers. Very helpful information under "FAQs" on this website
CONTACT US
Sanctuary, PO Box 8953, Chelmsford, CM2 9WN
Tel: 0844 3576573 Email: sanctuary@ccpas.co.uk
CCPAS Head Office: PO Box 133 Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ
24/7 Helpline Tel: 0845 120 45 50 Email: info@ccpas.co.uk
PUBLICATIONS
Walk the Walk
A Treatment Supplement for Sex Offenders with Christian Beliefs by Tim Horton, specially edited for use in the UK 
Designed as a work book for offenders, Walk the Walk relates sexual offending treatment to Christian teaching with chapters on forgiveness and accepting the consequences of offending, “Christian” thinking errors, relapse prevention, the importance of good, accountable relationships, and “rules to live by in church and at home”. With a chapter specifically for offenders’ partners, this book is also helpful for giving understanding to pastors and support groups. Originally published in the United States this new edition has been edited and revised with additional material to make it more suitable for use in the UK.
REVIEW
by Donald Findlater, Director of Research and Development The Lucy Faithfull Foundation
"I recommend this book to those offenders and their families who have a Christian faith; to professionals who are working with them; and to those in the churches they attend. The Bible and the Christian faith are clear that the sexual abuse of adults and children is wrong and that those who offend are accountable for their behaviour. If we are to adequately protect the most vulnerable members of society whilst helping those Christians who have offended to lead ‘good lives’, grappling with the issues raised in Walk the Walk is imperative."
For the US version of Walk the Walk go to www.acmehalo.com
ORDERING CCPAS On-line shop at: www.ccpas.co.uk/shop/shop.htm
or Order by Phone: 0845 120 45 50