TESTIMONIALS

Stuart Allardyce-Director, Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland

We at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland, the only charity that focuses exclusively on the prevention of child sexual abuse, have worked closely with the SCSSA over the last 18 months on better protection of children from harm. We have been enormously impressed by their commitment to ensure that Safeguarding extends beyond better identification of harm after it has occurred, to also include what we all need to do in faith organisations to ensure that child sexual abuse is prevented before it happens.

Lesley Anne Pratchett-Clinical Lead, Break the Silence

Our experience of SCSSA has been wholly positive, conversations have been open and insightful. Engagement with this Agency leads us at BTS to believe that the experience and needs of our client group are increasingly understood and respected and that over time the Agency will be well placed to assist in the education and cultural change required for the Catholic Church in Scotland to become a safer place for all children and adults.

Matthew McVarish-Co-Founder, Brave Movement

The establishment of the SCSSA signals the beginning of a crucial sea change for the Catholic Church in Scotland. Having silently suffered sexual abuse throughout my childhood in a Catholic household, the agency’s eagerness to proactively engage with survivors suggests a humbling new trajectory, setting a course towards genuinely ensuring the wellbeing of all children within the church. I would be delighted to see their good work expand beyond Scotland, sharing ‘best-practice’ with common allies and similar agencies in all nations, and would be happy to help with this.

Sandra Browne OBE-Founder, Moira Anderson Foundation

A breath of fresh air was needed-SCSSA has provided an innovative approach to addressing hard issues. We have been impressed by the clear, cohesive focus of the agency, and a willingness to address the devastating impact CSA has - particularly its significant hallmark of leaving life-long scars on those who have endured trauma inflicted by abusers in a position of trust within the Church.

Alex O’Donnell-Co-founder and Director, Epione Training and Consultancy Ltd

It has been a privilege to collaborate with the SCSSA. What has stood out most is how SCSSA actively listens and is creating a culture where people are genuinely heard and used to inform strategy and practice. This approach gives me confidence that the culture of safeguarding being developed will not only be trauma-informed but also rooted in inclusion.

Gemma Lamarra-Scottish Laity Network

Paul and Helena of the SCSSA have created safe spaces where my voice is heard and I can share the voices of those survivors I have accompanied. I feel our voices are heard, appreciated and valued. It gives me hope that we as a church are slowly journeying in the right direction.

Margaret Clarke-Survivor

As a Survivor, I was approached to read over various documents and to consider their suggestions for the redevelopment of the website. If I gave any suggestions or thoughts, they were received very gratefully and always replied to, with explanations or the changes made because of my input. I never felt any pressure, only understanding and care. The impact on me has been that I felt valued and listened to! I would like to see this collaboration continue with myself and other survivors in order to inform the work of the SCSSA through the very pertinent thoughts of survivors.

Mark Joseph Williams-Special Advisor, Archdiocese of Newark, USA; Advisory Council Member, IADC, Rome

Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of encountering SCSSA. The extraordinary work of this dedicated small team is an added model for our global Church. The principle of independence serves as a bedrock to ensure greater transparency towards achieving true Safeguarding and more sustainable healing for victims & survivors. As our beloved Pope Francis penned soon before his passing in his autobiography, ‘Hope’: “Covering up adds shame to shame.” . . . I have profound hope that Pope Leo will continue on the synodal road to listen to the voices of the abused in our Church. He doesn’t have to look too far to see the passion and commitment of SCSSA in Scotland for a better and safer Church.