UNITED KINGDOM
Vatican Radio
[with audio]
(Vatican Radio) The National Catholic Safeguarding Commission in England and Wales issued its latest report on Thursday highlighting significant progress, including a “much more consistent and sensitive approach” to survivors of sexual abuse. The annual report also underlines the importance of religious congregations aligning themselves with dioceses through a ‘One Church’ approach to better coordinate responses to those coming forward with allegations of abuse.
The National Catholic Safeguarding Commission is an independent body working within the framework of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Over the past 3 years it has overseen audits across all of the 22 Dioceses with the aim of providing better child protection in churches and religious institutions throughout the country.
Danny Sullivan is chair of the Commission and earlier this month accompanied two survivors of sexual abuse for a meeting with Pope Francis at his Santa Marta residence. He told us more about the positive developments highlighted in this annual report….
Listen to Philippa Hitchen’s report:
Danny says the new report reflects the ongoing work on training and supporting from the Safeguarding Advisory Service, with diocesan coordinators working with parish coordinators to ensure that procedures and guidelines are robustly adhered to, “so that you’re making the Church the safe place it should be for children and vulnerable adults….”
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