Below is contact information for relevant agencies/services which are available to provide assistance, respond and give support to all children and vulnerable adults. Children and adults can seek advice and support for a range of issues not just about abuse. This may include issues regarding: teachers, parents/ carers, bullying, relationship problems, medical advice and legal advice.

Northern Ireland

PSNI Tel: 0845 600 800

This is a centralized number. Ask to be put through to the police station you require. The station you need to contact is the one serving the area where the incident/alleged incident took place.

The Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland have Gateway services in all departments including the Children’s Social Work department. Anyone reporting a concern or making an allegation of abuse should contact this service. Contact information for these departments in each of the five Health and Social Care Trusts are outlined below:

GATEWAY SERVICES: Tel: 0800 783 7745
Gateway is a social work service for children and families.

Local Contact Details - Statutory Authorities

WESTERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST Gateway Services Tel: (028) 7131 4090

NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST Tel: (028) 2563 3700

DONEGAL

Duty Social Worker: Letterkenny Tel: (074) 912 3770
Buncrana Tel: (074) 936 1044

Alternatively, if you or anyone you know has a child safeguarding concern in relation to any member of church personnel and wishes to report it to church authorities, please contact one of the Diocesan Designated Persons, who will, in turn, report this concern to the relevant statutory authorities.

Name: Rev John Farren
Phone Number: NI (0035374) 938 4037 /ROI (074) 938 4037

Name: Mary McCafferty
Phone Number: NI 075 1426 5252 ROI (00 44) 75 1426 5252
Email: child.protection.coordinator@derrydiocese.org

HELPLINES FOR ADULTS

FAOISEAMH: Helpline for survivors of clerical sexual abuse.
Monday and Wednesday 11.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Friday 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Freefone: 0800 973 272

National Association for people abused in childhood
National Support Helpline Tel: 0800 085 3330
Website: www.napac.org.uk

SPECIALIST SERVICES

Alliance Victim Support: Men/Women 16+ and their families who experienced abuse in institutions during childhood. Access to counselling, family tracing, and legal services.

Age Concern/ Help the Aged (NI): Men/Women (50+) who have experienced sexual abuse/assault. Offers legal support and contact with other agencies that may also provide support. Tel: (028) 9024 5729

NEST: Group Counselling for Adults surviving trauma. Faith based, open to all. Tel: (028) 7964 2983

The Nexus Institute: Specialist counselling for male/female survivors of sexual abuse/violence, 16+
Tel: (028) 9032 6803 (Belfast)
Tel: (028) 7126 0566 (Derry)

Republic of Ireland

Donegal Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis:
Tel: (074) 9128211 Free phone: 1800 448844

HELPLINES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (N.I.)

CHILDLINE: Free 24 hour helpline Tel: 0800 1111 Website: www.childline.org.uk

NSPCC: Helpline Tel: 0800 800 5000 Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Republic of Ireland - ISPCC: Tel: 1800 666666

SPECIALIST SERVICES (N.I.)

Barnardos: Counselling for Children (province wide). Tel: (028) 90672366
Website: www.barnardos.org.uk

NSPCC: Advice, Counselling, Treatment. Tel: 0808 800 500

THRESHOLD Child and Adolescent Counselling Services:
Specialist counselling for young people 4-18 years of age. Tel: (028) 90871313

Accessing Help

Please note that only services which you can contact yourself are included. GPs, community nurses or social workers may be able to refer you to other services such as clinical psychology which are not listed here. Remember: Anyone involved in working with children in the Diocese of Derry, including the Diocesan safeguarding children personnel can access specialist advice about safeguarding issues from the National Board for Safeguarding Children.

National Office for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland

New House
Saint Patrick’s College
Maynooth
Co.Kildare

Phone no: 01 505 3124
Fax: 01 505 3026
Website: www.safeguarding.ie