The Church of England has come under fire for not adopting a fully independent safeguarding model for dealing with abuse cases. Instead, the synod recommended an alternative proposal that child safety expert Prof Alexis Jay has called a “way forward in the short term.” The aim is to fully transition to an independent safeguarding model in the future. Nevertheless, Prof Jay has labelled the decision as a “huge missed opportunity” and “deeply disappointing.”
The Church has faced a turbulent period with former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigning and the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell receiving criticism for his links to another abuse case. The issues concern child abuse cases dating back decades. As a result, the Church has launched an extensive review of its safeguarding protocols to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Two models were proposed, one proposed by barrier Sarah Wilkinson, while the other suggested setting up an entirely independent safeguarding body. The Prof Jay-backed model was not voted on at all, and the synod adopted the Wilkinson proposal. This model aims to create an independent central safeguarding team for the Church, while the diocesan and cathedral safeguarding officers are assigned to continue in their current roles. The alternative model proposed that the Church’s safeguarding officers across the country would become part of this independent body and independent of Church organisations.
The amendment to table the choice provided before the synod to just one option was tabled by Bishop of Blackburn, Philip North. He argued that the simpler model will effect change more quickly than the other model, which is “eye-wateringly complex”. Campaigners have strongly criticised the decision, with Lucy Duckworth citing a “devastating blow” to “the one million children” who attend the 4,600 schools under the Church of England’s authority. Andrew Graystone described the decision as a “punch in the gut for victims and survivors of church abuse” and church leaders have been accused of “shocking arrogance.
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