survivors
The approval of a new independent safeguarding body is a significant development, but its success for both survivors and our parishes depends upon its implementation.
Listening to the voices of survivors of church based abuse has had a profound impact on my ministry in recent years and I believe must continue to shape policy and practice across every area of church life Recognising the good changes that have been made in recent years whilst never being complacent and being open to continued learning Grassroots parish mission
Build trust in the institution by ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding culture, putting survivors and victims at the centre of our response, and recognising that our failures have jeopardised our mission and place in the public square.
At times it has been a rollercoaster, but I have tried to be faithful in responding to victims and survivors of church-based abuse, not least as a trustee of Safe Spaces, the telephone support service for victims and survivors of church-based abuse and as a member of the National Redress Project Board and the National Safeguarding Steering Group.
As a trustee of the Archbishops’ Council I have supported the mechanism to provide funds for survivors in urgent financial need (the Interim Support Scheme).
Survivors deserve the highest quality of response and we still have much to do (and much to repent of).
Progress has been made towards independent oversight of safeguarding in recent years but there is still work to do to ensure the voices of victims and survivors are heard and respected, and to continue to weave an awareness and commitment to safeguarding into all of church life.
This can lead to victims and survivors of abuse finding that justice is elusive and the process of seeking it causes further trauma.
I take safeguarding very seriously and ensure robust systems are in place where I minister, recognising that it is essential that we listen to and learn from voices of survivors and victims.
Ensuring that the pain suffered by survivors of abuse is properly recognised with compassion and understanding and support
Survivors of abuse are still let down by the Church’s bureaucracy and have not received the generous pastoral care or compensation they deserve.
A delicate balance must be achieved: increased independence means it is harder for the Church to prioritise safeguarding its reputation over the wellbeing of and justice for survivors, but there is also a danger that the Church will relinquish its accountability and safeguarding will become more disconnected from the reality of parish life.
Trust and accountability- High-profile safeguarding failures across different parts of the Church have caused profound harm to victims and survivors and have rightly led many within the Church and beyond it to question aspects of our culture, leadership and accountability.
We must continue to do all we can to ensure that our churches are safe places, where abuse is taken seriously, victims and survivors are heard and supported, and those in positions of authority are properly accountable.
I am the safeguarding lead for ERMC and in this capacity I have tried to listen to survivors of abuse.
General Synod deals with matters of importance to the Church and to wider society - such as safeguarding, where more remains to be done to ensure that survivors are listened to and that past abuses can never happen again.
Now at least these are out in the open and there is a real desire to avoid new ones and to recognise the pain of survivors.
The previous Synod passed a new Clergy Conduct Measure (CCM), a redress scheme for survivors, and the next phase of safeguarding reforms, including external scrutiny.
I will read the reports, follow the money, and keep asking whether survivors are better served this year than last.
Children and vulnerable adults must be protected; victims and survivors must be heard, believed and supported; and institutional reputation must never come before truth or justice.
Our churches need to be safer places, and I am keen to listen carefully especially to victims and survivors as we work towards more independent processes for safeguarding.
When safeguarding has failed, we must listen to victims and survivors, learn from failures and ensure that accountability leads to effective and lasting cultural and systemic change.
It requires vigilance from everyone, guided and strengthened by the voices of Survivors.
02 SAFEGUARDING As a member of the St John’s Safeguarding Team, I recognise the importance of upholding safeguarding, listening to survivors and putting in place effective measures to prevent abuse.
This change will require transparent pathways of accountability, a readiness to listen to victims and survivors, and processes that can be seen to be fair and to be trusted.
• Modern-day slavery — visited safe houses for trafficking survivors in Asia & UK; lobbied MP on sex
We need independent safeguarding which has to be perceived as such by victims and survivors, who we need to place front and centre.
We must always include the voices of survivors when considering safeguarding.
From my teaching background, I am aware that whilst progress has been made, General Synod still has work to do in making our churches as safe as they can be, and ensuring the voices of victims and survivors are heard.
The church has done a lot of catching up on safeguarding at all levels, and more is needed to keep up with national safeguarding requirements and to support survivors of abuse, but we need to ensure that all proposals are workable and not overly burdensome for those in ministry so that we can effectively make the church a safe place for all.
We need genuinely professional safeguarding, proper independence and scrutiny, and systems in which victims and survivors, clergy, parishes and the wider public can have confidence.
As Newcastle Cathedral's Safeguarding Lead, I support the work of our Chaplain to Survivors of Church-Based Abuse and seek to ensure that Survivors’ voices continue to shape our life and ministry.
I will vote to ensure survivors receive independent redress and that our safeguarding structures are completely transparent and legally robust.
safeguarding provision throughout the church, including moves to ensure appropriate independent scrutiny of safeguarding practice and the care of victims and survivors.
Trust must be built from the ground up; we must move decisively to ensure our churches are genuinely safe spaces for those who are vulnerable or at risk, and that victims and survivors of abuse are genuinely cared for.
Safeguarding and accountability: I want the Church to listen more deeply to survivors, strengthen independent scrutiny, and make sure failures lead to honest learning and real change.
I believe that a genuine, independent voice in Safeguarding is crucial, and issues for victims and survivors must be handled properly, promptly and with sensitivity.
We must listen to survivors, learn from what has happened and put the safety of people before the protection of institutions.
It is important that we learn from past cases of abuse and listen to the voices of victims and survivors.
safeguarding policies will put survivors first
Safeguarding and Trust - supporting survivors and ensuring the Church is safe, accountable and transparent.
Survivors still face delays, inconsistency and processes that can feel opaque or uncaring.
I am committed to building a safer church and encouraging a culture that supports victims and survivors, and deters perpetrators.
We must remain steadfast and realistic, prioritising the voices of victims and survivors.
The implementation of independent safeguarding structures and the continued response to past failures will require careful scrutiny, effective legislation and a determination to rebuild trust through accountability, transparency and compassion for victims and survivors.
The Church must embed best practice and place the voices of all survivors at the centre of our safeguarding processes, and there needs to be greater accountability from Synod for the change in culture that this will entail.
Survivors shouldn’t have to trust the institutions that failed them to investigate themselves and put honesty and truth above reputation.
Safeguarding: Safeguarding is not negotiable: survivors deserve independence, honesty, and follow-through, not warm words.
I will also want to continue to push for the CofE’s leadership take victims and survivors seriously as the move towards full, truly independent safeguarding continues.
I believe the Church needs independent safeguarding, and a serious engagement with survivors - our Diocese is a lead in this.
• That the voice of survivors like me, affects policy and practice in all aspects of
Synod, The House of Bishops and The Archbishops’ Council and importantly engaging with victims and survivors.
My interest in safeguarding has run throughout my life and I have worked with victims and survivors on many occasions.
Safeguarding which commands confidence The Church has grievously failed victims and survivors.
05 Safeguarding & Accountability Support a Church that listens to survivors, learns from failure, and embeds safeguarding, transparency and responsible governance at every level.
A safer church where the vulnerable are protected from harm and exploitation and which responds to survivors and victims of abuse.
We must uphold the highest safety standards to protect the vulnerable and support victims and survivors with unyielding, active care.
I care about safeguarding — The Church of England has failed victims and survivors of abuse.
Over the life of the next synod safeguarding reforms will be implemented and we will have the opportunity to work towards embracing a truly independent safeguarding system which places listening to victims and survivors at the heart of our processes.
I support any action at General Synod to tackle racism, sexism, homophobia and all discrimination and would call for repentance and honesty about our past failures and real culture change, especially regarding our failure to prevent abuse and our failure to support and believe survivors.
Safeguarding: putting survivors and safety first The Makin Review and the wider safeguarding failures of recent years have demonstrated the urgent need to rebuild trust.
The Church must put the welfare of children, vulnerable adults, victims and survivors before 28 of 29
I will support safeguarding structures that are as independent as humanly possible, with clear accountability and proper support for survivors.
Diocese, I recently served as the safeguarding trustee at the Titus Trust, where we spent a lot of time responding to appalling abuse committed in the 1970s and 80s and to how badly victims and survivors were treated at the time and in subsequent years.
I am deeply committed to continuing to learn how to put victims and survivors first and to building healthier, more Christlike cultures in our churches.
scrutiny that is independent in fact and not only in name, and a Redress Scheme which works for victims and survivors without delay.
We must learn from failings, listen to survivors, and ensure that our safeguarding structures are independent, credible and truly protect the vulnerable.
At my first Synod meeting in 2021, I put in a formal Question about safeguarding, so I quickly linked up with others concerned about our poor treatment of survivors, as well as with some survivors themselves and our diocesan safeguarding staff.
We need to improve our structures, to support and listen to victims and survivors, and to be trauma informed in our practices. Mental health I am an accredited Mental Health First Aider (Level 3) and believe passionately that we need a broader, deeper, more honest conversation about mental health across the whole Church. Vocations We have a crisis of vocations, as far more clergy are currently retiring than are being ordained.
We must also address honestly and directly the historic and ongoing weaknesses in our pastoral response to survivors, rather than allowing ourselves to focus solely on policies and processes (important as these are).
Safeguarding: honing good systems and practice to ensure the Church is safe for all people, especially those who are victims and survivors of abuse, and all who are vulnerable.
The next Synod must ensure that promised reforms are implemented, properly funded and rigorously scrutinised, with victims and survivors heard and institutional self-protection challenged.
Safeguarding: The Church must continue to grow in transparency, accountability, and independent redress, ensuring we listen thoroughly to victims and survivors.
There remains vital work to do on safeguarding, including independent scrutiny and redress for victims and survivors, alongside continuing questions about clergy wellbeing, pay, housing, pensions and the reform of clergy discipline.
I believe that it is vital that our safeguarding structures have the confidence of all in our parishes, and survivors and outside agencies.
• Listens to victims and survivors
Nationally we are not supporting victims and survivors, and not implementing changes (due to past and present incidents) in the straightforward and timely way we should.
works really well, we lead the way with a Chaplaincy for Survivors and we have a fantastic team in place to support parishes with their needs.
I have had the privilege of accompanying survivors of some of the most serious abuse scandals of recent years, and I am clear that survivors matter and must not be ignored.
I'm committed to full, transparent implementation of national reform and a culture — not just a policy — that puts survivors first, including in small rural parishes where capacity is thinnest.
I have a lot to contribute to this important work of synod; ensuring we continue to strive for a Church which is safe for all and priorities the voices and experiences of survivors.
I will support safeguarding arrangements that are independent, trustworthy and transparent, together with proper redress for victims and survivors.
Doing this well is how we begin to earn back the trust of survivors and the public.
I cannot even imagine what it must be like for survivors themselves.
The voices of survivors must remain at the centre of the Church's decision-making and cultural change.
I strive to promote a Church that: ensures survivors are listened to and treated with dignity continues to improve safeguarding practices and training creates a culture of reporting and good practice at every level of the Church promotes independent scrutiny
They need to recognise their responsibility to protect children and vulnerable adults, to listen properly to victims and survivors and to ensure safeguarding is properly managed and resourced.
I know the need for a robust system, that is transparent, effective and informed by survivors to understand the trauma that many of them have suffered.
We need to learn from the past, listen properly to survivors, and build a culture in which safeguarding is understood as an essential part of Christian discipleship and good leadership, rather than as a bureaucratic burden.
I will aim to: o Listen closely to victims and survivors and champion robust structures and reliable oversight of safeguarding. o Ensure safeguarding training is practical, clear, and easy to complete at the parish level. o Work to build a transparent culture where everyone feels safe to speak up.
My Priorities: A Church that is safe, accountable, and trusted by victims/survivors.
We must learn from our failures by listening to victims and survivors, using power well, and creating healthy church cultures where abuse cannot take root.
safeguarding must be rigorous, compassionate and trustworthy, listening properly to victims and survivors while maintaining fair and transparent processes;
Beyond these three priorities, I will give serious attention to safeguarding, including the Redress Scheme for survivors, and to the finances that shape what our parishes can do.
Safeguarding: It is vital that the Church gets safeguarding right for survivors and those attending churches now.
I am committed to proper safeguarding at every level of church life and would work to ensure that the experiences of survivors drive deeper change to our structures.
I will continue to listen to the voices of survivors, and read widely and prayerfully on the subject.
Survivors: Those experiencing pain that others may not understand — including survivors of sexual harm and racial harm — deserve justice, dignity, pastoral care and a place to be heard.
abuse, support survivors and equip local churches to do the same.
Independent and Compassionate Safeguarding: As Synod seeks to establish independent structures for safeguarding, my prayers remain with all victims and survivors of abuse.
By no means least, we must also put our energies into embedding good Safeguarding into the culture of our Church nationally and locally, and in working with survivors of abuse that we may learn, change, and grow in understanding and good practice.
Safeguarding is a fundamental part of my clinical work, and I am determined to listen to and uplift the voices of survivors in the way we address our deeply disturbing history - and present -—in this area.
I have wide experience of safeguarding throughout my professional and personal life and would hope to work to further improve the approach to safeguarding, and the response and support for survivors of abuse, in the Church of England.
I believe we need genuinely independent oversight of diocesan and national safeguarding teams, to give survivors and others confidence that the church is a safe place.
I fully support the move to independent safeguarding structures and mandatory compliance, ensuring that victims and survivors are heard.
Support the Church of England in meeting its safeguarding commitments through developing constructive measures which can be readily implemented locally, keeping in centre view the needs of survivors and the vulnerable.
I am committed to helping the Church become a model of best practice, where the vulnerable are protected, survivors are heard, and every person is treated with dignity and care.
I understand the importance of ensuring victims’ and survivors’ voices are listened to.
For example, on Safeguarding, where there is much work still to be done, I am convinced that we need longer to learn from and listen to survivors before finalising any safeguarding models.
I will support work that: strengthens safeguarding practice across every level of the Church promotes transparency, accountability and appropriate independent scrutiny ensures survivors are listened to, supported and treated with dignity continues to improve safeguarding training, reporting and culture throughout the Church
On safeguarding we need the emergent new national arrangements to be independent and effective and we need to avoid the poor treatment of victims and survivors which has been so much a feature of past case reviews.
Restoring trust and listening to victims and survivors is key, and more work is needed in the next Synod.
I have a track record of responding well to survivors and believe in the centrality of survivors’ voices to future safeguarding practice.
Survivors' experience must shape not only our procedures but the culture of the Church we become, with independent scrutiny, transparency and genuine accountability.
A safe and accountable Church Safeguarding must put victims and survivors first, with properly independent and transparent oversight and cases handled promptly.
Listening carefully also means listening to survivors of abuse, and ensuring that safeguarding is upheld with the seriousness, independence and professionalism our churches deserve.
We need arrangements that are robust, properly resourced, transparent and accountable, putting victims and survivors first, with independent oversight.
This, to me, means excellent safeguarding practices, listening to and believing victim survivors, and expecting not just our leadership, but every member of our church community to demonstrate trustworthiness, whilst holding those in power accountable.