Support to victims and survivors of church-related abuse must be provided in line with the requirements in the Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Abuse guidance.
The availability of a senior member of clergy to meet with concerned members of the Church can provide an important opportunity for those persons to express any concerns or feelings. Assistance in managing those feelings, worries, anxiety and any crisis in faith should be provided. Some parishioners may want to pray together, and consideration should be given to how this can be facilitated.
Stress may also be experienced by members of clergy or parish staff/volunteers, who may have an increased workload as a result, as well as trying to support parishioners and coming to terms with their own feelings on the situation. Arrangements for what support may be appropriate to put in place for those individuals should be considered by the SCMG, and may include the availability of a senior member of clergy, or support from a priest from a neighbouring parish.