Church failed children on abuse

The Anglican Church failed to protect children from predators within its ranks, and supported abusers rather than victims, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA) has concluded.

Since the 1940s, at least 390 clergy or persons in positions of trust have been convicted of sexual offences against children. Many more victims have come forward with allegations against priests, vicars and youth leaders. In its report on abuse in the Anglican Church, published this week, the IICSA made eight recommendations, including creating a mandatory code of practice for clergy on safeguarding, the appointment of a diocesan safeguarding officer and implementing a formal information-sharing protocol between churches.

However, the ICCSA stopped short of recommending mandatory reporting, although it expects to address this issue in its final report. It heard widespread support, particularly among victims and survivors, for making failure to report child sexual abuse a crime. However, there were conflicting views on what should be reported, when and to whom. The Charity Commission also expressed concerns that an increase in referrals might divert attention from the most serious cases―instead, it supported a criminal offence of deliberately concealing child sexual abuse.

The government consulted on mandatory reporting in 2016 but only 12% of respondents were in favour of a change in the law.

Alan Collins, partner at Hugh James and specialist child abuse lawyer, said: ‘The evidence presented to IICSA makes it abundantly clear that it should be mandatory for any person in a position of trust to report an allegation, or suspicion, of child sexual abuse to the police.

‘To be effective, any failure to do so should be an offence for both the individual and the body that they belong to or represent. Without this, children remain in grave danger of being failed, not only by the perpetrator, but by the system that should be there to protect and serve. This would be a serious missed opportunity.’