ENGLAND
The Guardian
July 7, 2018
By Harriet Sherwood
General synod backs plan for independent body with powers at national or diocese level
The Church of England is to establish an independent ombudsman to deal with complaints over its handling of sexual abuse cases, and will seek other ways of strengthening independent scrutiny of its processes.
Survivors of sexual abuse within the church have repeatedly called for an independent body to oversee abuse cases following evidence of cover-ups and collusion by senior figures.
The C of E’s general synod, meeting in York, voted overwhelmingly to back priorities for action set out by the national safeguarding steering group (NSSG), which could include an independent body being given powers to intervene at national or diocese level.
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