C of E Ordered Investigation after ‘botched’ 2010 Abuse Inquiry

The Guardian
June 22, 2018

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/22/church-of-england-2010-sexual-abuse-inquiry-botched

C of E ordered investigation after ‘botched’ 2010 abuse inquiry

The Church of England commissioned an independent report into its review of allegations of historical sexual abuse after pressure from campaigners.

The Church’s Past Cases Review (PCR), published in 2010, was criticised for not giving a comprehensive picture of the problem, amid claims that those conducting it refused to speak to some survivors who wanted to tell their stories.

In 2007-09, the PCR looked at more than 40,000 case files relating to allegations of abuse dating back to the 1950s and concluded that only 13 cases of alleged child sexual abuse needed formal action.

Sir Roger Singleton, who authored the report into how the PCR was handled, said its negative aspects were downplayed by the church but he found “no evidence of a planned and deliberate attempt to conceal information”.

His report was published on Friday and recommended that:

1. Cathedrals and other parts of the church with decision-making bodies should conduct an updated review if they were not involved in the PCR;

2. All relevant files not examined in 2008-09 are independently reviewed;

3. All safeguarding concerns about parish employee or volunteer behaviour should be notified to the diocesan safeguarding adviser (DSA);

4. “Renewed impetus” should be given to the recording and cross-referencing of safeguarding issues.

The report will be sent to the Independent Inquiry for Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), to which Sir Roger, previously the former chief executive of Barnado’s, gave evidence in March.

Bishop Peter Hancock, the Church of England’s lead safeguarding bishop, said: “These criticisms have been taken very seriously and acted upon and the House of Bishops have offered full support to implementing the recommendations in the report and any subsequent actions.

“We are committed to making sure that any known individuals who have not been dealt with appropriately in the past are assessed and any current potential risks to children and others are rigorously managed, including by reporting these individuals to the statutory authorities for investigation.”

Sir Roger told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday that the PCR was “botched in three ways”.

“The survey wasn’t completely comprehensive,” he said. “It didn’t include some cathedrals, it didn’t include employees working with children in some parishes. The attempts really to make the survey absolutely complete were flawed.”

He added: “The church needs to complete the incomplete job that it did 10 years ago by making sure that all files that are available are actually reviewed.”

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