Child Protection Adviser
The Diocesan Child Protection officer is John Marshman, a retired police officer who worships at St Nicholas and St Thomas, Bedhampton.
John's contact numbers are:
Office (Peninsular House) 023 92 89 9665
Mobile 07747 613407
Email john.marshman@portsmouth.anglican.org
John is supported by admin assistant Mary Daisy who can be contacted at Peninsular House on 023 9289 9677 or mary.daisy@portsmouth.anglican.org.
John is also supported by a Diocesan Child Protection Panel appointed by the Bishop. The panel acts in a voluntary capacity to provide a professional advice and support service to respond to issues which may have serious implications for parishes and individuals. It is comprised of a number of highly qualified professionals with considerable experience of all aspects of child protection, working with both victims and ex-offenders. Panel members include senior social service and probation service managers, a consultant paediatrician, an NHS psychotherapist and a former NSPCC director. The clergy is represented by the Ven Peter Hancock as chairman and also by the bishop's chaplain, the Revd Alex Hughes.
The Church's commitment to the prevention of child abuse.
The Church recognises the reality of the abuse of children, which can sometimes occur within the community of the church. The diocese and each parish wish to play their part together with parents, schools and other agencies in the prevention of such abuse. We also recognise that the community of the Church may be the safe place for a child or an adult who has been abused to make a disclosure.
Most abuse of children and young people is committed by someone known to them and trusted by them, within the family, among friends, or in the local community. There is no single way to prevent abuse. It will always occur: therefore various measures need to be used at all times to decrease the possibility of abuse.
These include:
- Procedures for both Diocese and parishes following the discovery or disclosure of abuse
- Procedures to be followed in recruitment of both paid and volunteer staff.
- Guidance for parishes in order to decrease opportunities for abuse, including declaration forms and Criminal Records Disclosure Applications
- Advice on providing a safe physical environment
- Advice on recognising the signs and symptoms of child abuse and responding to its discovery and disclosure
- Ongoing support and training.
More information:
