Church to change abuse process following ‘deeply uncomfortable’ review

By The Press Association15th March 2016News EnglandChild Abuse, News England, Non-Recent / Historic Abuse, Sexual Abuse

The Church of England is to introduce a raft of changes on how it handles sex abuse allegations following a critical independent review into a historical case.

A senior Anglican figure said the church was “horrified” to read the “deeply uncomfortable” report into the abuse suffered decades ago by the victim when he was young.

It emerged the victim, identified as Survivor B, had disclosed “a tragic catalogue of exploitation and harm” to figures both inside and outside of the church over the years but no firm action was taken.

He felt ignored, had lost his faith and harboured feelings of frustration and failure following the many bids he made to gain help from the church, the review noted.

Survivor B has since been offered an unreserved apology and a settlement amid further efforts by the church to repair the damage caused to him.

The Church of England on Tuesday published only the conclusions and recommendations following the Elliott Review, which was commissioned in September last year.

The church said the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, had pledged to ensure the review’s 11 recommendations are acted on as quickly as possible.

They include the need for training to be provided to those who may receive abuse allegations. They should record what information has been shared with them and explain what action they will take.

In addition, financial considerations should not be given a priority that conflicts with the church’s pastoral aims when engaging with abuse victims, it was recommended.

Responding to the findings, Bishop of Crediton Sarah Mullally said the abuse suffered by Survivor B had “clearly devastated his life”.

She said: “I apologise profusely for the failings of the church towards him and for the horrific abuse he suffered.

“It has taken him years of heartache and distress to get his story heard and believed by those in authority, and it is clear he has been failed in many ways over a long period of time.

“We should have been swifter to listen, to believe and to act. This report is deeply uncomfortable for the Church of England.”