Catholic Church asks Glasgow survivors of abuse to share experiences for independent review

GLASGOW (UNITED KINGDOM)
Glasgow Times [Glasgow, Scotland]

October 20, 2021

By Jack Haugh

THE Catholic Church in Glasgow has appealed to survivors of abuse within the church to get in touch and tell leaders “where they went wrong”. 

Bosses at the Archdiocese of Glasgow say they want to hear to hear from people with “first-hand experience” of how reports of abuse were dealt with and what “can be done” to improve the process in future. 

It will form part of a major independent review during the month of November which is being led by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCEI). 

A spokesman for the Archdiocese said: “This is a genuine attempt to listen and learn.

“The Social Care Institute is a totally independent body which will conduct this month long audit. The Archdiocese will have no role except to help to publicise that the audit is taking place, and that the external team want to hear directly from abuse survivors.

“The Social Care Institute wants to understand what is happening today and what has gone wrong in the past.

“They are looking at the responses of people in diocesan roles to knowledge of abuse by clergy or risks posed by clergy and others in Church-related roles, paid or voluntary.

“While the audit will concentrate on the last five years, we recommend that anyone who has experience of how we have dealt with abuse claims should speak to SCIE staff directly. Nobody at any level in the Church will be told that they are taking part.

“What they you? tell SCIE will be confidential and will not be shared with the Archdiocese except as part of an overall report which will absolutely not identify any individual.”

Dr Sheila Fish, SCIE Head of Audit and Review, said: “We want to understand what is working well and where there are problems. We want to hear from people with first-hand experience of how people in diocesan roles have responded to disclosures of abuse or sharing of concerns.”

When the work has been completed, the Archdiocese will publish the report and copies will be made available to survivors.

Anyone who may wish to report on their experience should contact SCIE directly by email at learningtogether@scie.org.uk or by phone on 07921 251614. SCIE will then get in touch to arrange a time to report to the auditors in a way that suits each individual.

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19660275.catholic-church-asks-glasgow-survivors-abuse-share-experiences-independent-review/