Safeguarding against abuse in religious contexts: Challenges and potential in the relationship between statutory services and Faith-Based Organizations

Abstract

Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) are integral to community social structures, providing services that often extend beyond spiritual guidance. Due to their longstanding presence and trust within communities, FBOs are uniquely positioned to contribute to safeguarding efforts against abuse. Despite their potential, research indicates that there is a degree of ineffective collaboration between FBOs and statutory services (SSs) particularly in the context of safeguarding vulnerable individuals. Established literature suggests that many FBO safeguarding leads tend to be unaware of broader safeguarding policies and how to discuss concerns with SSs. The present study therefore explores the relationship between FBOs and SSs, aiming to identify factors that facilitate or hinder effective collaboration. Through an online open-ended questionnaire, data were gathered from 89 participants, including safeguarding leads in FBOs and professionals from SSs. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes: understanding and supporting spirituality, safeguarding awareness and challenges, communication and collaboration barriers, and suggestions for improved partnership. Helpfulness and understanding of spirituality by SSs led to positive experiences. Conversely, negative experiences stemmed from a lack of understanding of FBOs' safeguarding roles, poor information sharing, and complex SSs processes. Participants suggested joint training and increased open communication to improve collaboration. The findings emphasize the need for context-specific training and respectful inter-organizational (or inter-agency) working to foster better relationships between FBOs and SSs. Enhancing these partnerships is crucial for effective safeguarding and protection of vulnerable individuals within faith communities. Future research could delve into these suggestions in more depth and further explore the perspectives of SSs to provide a more comprehensive understanding of these relationships.