The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has now published its report following its investigation into the extent to which the Church of England and the Church of Wales has protected children from sexual abuse in the past. It also examined the effectiveness of current safeguarding arrangements.
The Anglican Church Investigation Report by the IICSA
The total number of convicted offenders associated with the Church from the 1940s until 2018 is 390. In 2018, 449 concerns were reported to the Church about recent child sexual abuse, latterly a significant amount of offending involved the downloading or possession of indecent images of children.
The investigation found that the culture of the Anglican Church made it an easy place for abusers to hide. The investigation found that in the context of child sexual abuse:
“the Church’s neglect of the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of children and young people in favour of protecting its reputation was in conflict with its mission of love and care for the innocent and vulnerable”.
The Church seemed to give greater attention to the circumstances of the alleged abuser rather than believing and supporting those who disclosed that they had been abused.
Recommendations
The Inquiry has made several recommendations:
- The Church of England should create the role of a diocesan safeguarding officer to replace the diocesan safeguarding adviser who should have the authority to make decisions independently of the diocesan bishop in respect of key safeguarding tasks.
- The Church of England should make changes and improvements to the way in which it responds to safeguarding complaints.
- The Church of Wales should make clear that the operational advice of provincial safeguarding officers must be followed by all members of the clergy and other Church officers.
- The Church of Wales should introduce record-keeping policies relating to safeguarding, complaints and whistleblowing which should be implemented consistently across dioceses. The Church should develop policies and training on the information which must be recorded in files. It should provide its provincial safeguarding officers with the right to see personnel files if concerns and complaints are raised about child protection or safeguarding.
- Both Churches should agree and implement a formal information-sharing protocol.
- Information sharing protocols should be in place at a local level between dioceses and statutory partners.
- Both Churches should introduce a Church-wide policy on the funding and provision of support to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse concerning clergy, Church officers or those with some connection to the Church including counselling.
- The Church in Wales should introduce independent external auditing of its safeguarding policies and procedures, and the Church of England should continue independent external auditing of its safeguarding policies and procedures. Audits should be conducted regularly and reports published.
How we can help
Dianne Collins is a Senior Associate in our expert Personal Injury team.
At Nelsons, we understand that there are many motives for a survivor of childhood abuse wanting to bring a civil claim and we will guide you through the process. Whilst it is important to understand that the ultimate aim of a personal injury claim is to obtain financial compensation for the effects of the abuse you suffered, we will always try to obtain for you, if possible, the answers and apology you deserve.
If you suffered abuse, even if it was a long time ago, in a church setting, residential care or foster care, a sports setting or anywhere else you may be able to make a claim for compensation. If you would like confidential, free advice on whether you can claim compensation, please contact Dianne or Helen Froggatt on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form.